"The Loopies": The Fifth Annual Best-Of Loop Data For 2011 #4: For the fifth consecutive season, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications combed through the statistics to hand out a number of awards celebrating the best – and worst – Loop Data performances of 2011. The fourth award goes to:
"Rope-A-Dope" Award: Attention NASCAR Hall of Fame: Richard Petty's plaque needs a re-write -- he has just won a Loopie. The King's two drivers, A.J. Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose, ranked 1-2 in the "Closer" statistic -- the number of positions gained or lost in the last 10 percent of races. Allmendinger gained a whopping 134 spots as races winded down; Ambrose improved 85 spots. In case you're wondering, Kevin Harvick (aptly nicknamed "The Closer") ranked third, with 78 positions improved.(NASCAR)(12-20-2011)
JTG Daugherty ending alliance with MWR? UPDATES: Michael Waltrip Racing currently fields two teams with #56-Martin Truex Jr. and #00-David Reutimann, and supplies cars for #47-Bobby Labonte and JTG Daugherty Racing out of its Mooresville, N.C., shop. Sources said JTG Daugherty Racing may cut its tie to MWR but remain in the sport with Labonte as its driver in 2012.(ESPN)(9-16-2011)
UPDATE: MWR has paved the way for a third full-time entry [with Clint Bowyer] by ending its affiliation with JTG Daugherty Racing, which had housed its #47 entry at the team's headquarters as part of its alliance. Team owner Brad Daugherty plans to keep his organization on track next season but is currently looking at options to align with another team, with speculation of a partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports. Daugherty's affinity to and admiration of Petty has even included the former college basketball and NBA star wearing the #43 throughout his career. An association as NASCAR business partners would further that connection. RPM was close to launching a third team with Bowyer before contract talks with the driver broke down so the desire to expand is evident.(CBS Sports)(9-22-2011)
UPDATE 2: JTG Daugherty Racing hasn't decided on an affiliation for next season, and retaining its relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing is still an option, team owner Tad Geschickter told Sporting News on Thursday. Geschickter said his phone had been "blowing up" in the wake of a report on CBSsports.com that MWR had terminated its relationship with JTG Daugherty, which fields Toyotas for Bobby Labonte, and speculation in the same story that JTG Daugherty might align itself with Richard Petty Motorsports. "I haven't talked with Richard Petty Motorsports," Geschickter said. "There's no truth to that at all." Geschickter said that, to his knowledge, MWR was still exploring its capacity to supply cars to JTG in light of possible expansion.(Sporting News)9-23-2011)
RPM no longer interested in Bowyer: Richard Petty Motorsports has withdrawn its offer to Clint Bowyer to drive a car for the organization in 2012. Team owner Andrew Murstein confirmed to FOXSports.com that RPM has decided to go in another direction with the program. "We are no longer in discussions with Clint," Murstein said. "We just feel that RPM is in a great place today, especially how far we have come since last year. Both #9-Marcos (Ambrose) and #43-A.J. (Allmendinger) are not only having career years, but they are both moving in the right directions and improving. "Clint is a great driver and we wish him the best wherever he ends up. For now, we will continue to focus on our two teams and continuing to make great strides as we return the King and his unmatched tradition and legion of loyal fans back into Victory Lane." The most recent organization in the Bowyer sweepstakes is Michael Waltrip Racing. Bowyer was seen touring MWR last Thursday. If he ends up at MWR, expect the company to a run a third team along with current drivers #00-David Reutimann and #56-Martin Truex, Jr.(Fox Sports)(9-14-2011)
Bowyer talking to other teams: Although he hopes to return to Richard Childress Racing in 2012, #33-Clint Bowyer is weighing offers from other teams. The latest is from Richard Petty Motorsports. According to RPM co-owner Andrew Murstein during a Saturday radio interview on SiriusXM Radio, Bowyer has an offer to drive a third car next year. "When we had that media day opportunity at the beginning of the year, I perhaps went a little further than I should and I said I wanted to add a third team pretty quickly, and Danica (Patrick) and Clint Bowyer came to mind," Murstein told SiriusXM at Bristol Motor Speedway. So we've been thinking about the third team for the last six months or so, and we're close to doing something. I don't know if it will be Clint." Bowyer admitted after the driver's meeting that he has talked to numerous teams about his next deal. "Obviously, that's what you've got to go and do right now, you've got to go out and get every offer possible, you know?" Bowyer said. "Go home and when it's time to make a decision, weigh them all out and make the best decision for your life, your performance and other things. Sources told ESPN.com that the big hang up has been Bowyer not wanting to take a pay cut, which many drivers have taken over the last year. Childress said he still expects things to work out with Bowyer. Bowyer, speculated to have a deal with 5-hour Energy to sponsor a portion of his races at RCR, said he "hopes" to return to RCR.(ESPN)(8-28-2011)
Sadler settles suit with Richard Petty Motorsports: Elliott Sadler and Richard Petty Motorsports have settled a lawsuit filed by Sadler against his former team. The settlement terms are confidential, said Sadler attorney John Buric. Sadler had filed the suit in May in North Carolina Superior Court in Concord, N.C., and claimed in court documents that his former team was withholding a payment to him because it accused him of influencing Hunt Brothers Pizza to leave RPM and sponsor him at Kevin Harvick Inc. The amount Sadler was seeking was never listed in the complaint.(Scene Daily)(8-25-2011)
Ambrose 4th foreign driver to win: After three Nationwide Series wins, a blunder last year at Sonoma and three top-3 finishes at Watkins Glen, #9-Marcos Ambrose finally got himself in Victory Lane in the Cup series by winning at Watkins Glen. In doing so, he became the first Australian-born driver to win a Cup race, and just the fourth foreign-born driver to win in NASCAR's top series. See the ol' accompanying list.
Driver, Country, Wins
Juan Pablo Montoya, Colombia, 2 (Sonoma, Watkins Glen)
Marcos Ambrose, Australia, 1 (Watkins Glen)
Mario Andretti, Italy, 1 (Daytona 500)
Earl Ross, Canada, 1 (Martinsville)
Ambrose now has four wins across the three NASCAR national touring series -- in Cup, Nationwide and Trucks. That's the second most in NASCAR history among foreign-born drivers is Canada's Ron Fellows has six wins (none in Sprint Cup)(ESPN)(8-17-2011)
Marcos Ambrose Qualifies for Sprint Summer Showdown: With his win in Monday's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose is qualified to be a finalist for a chance to earn a $3 million payout in the Sprint Summer Showdown. If Ambrose can also win the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend, he will claim the Sprint Summer Showdown presented by HTC EVO 3D title and win $1 million for himself, $1 million for his designated charity, Victory Junction, and $1 million dollars for a lucky race fan. Later this week a fan will be randomly selected from the pool of entrants who correctly picked Ambrose to win the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen at sprint.com/speed. That lucky fan will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway and be there in person to see whether Ambrose can win at Atlanta. If he claims the Sprint Summer Showdown presented by HTC EVO 3D, the fan will win $1 million. Fans should visit sprint.com/speed before each of the two remaining qualifying races to choose which driver they think will win that week's event. A different fan will be randomly selected after each race and will be in Atlanta for the final event of the six-consecutive-race series to cheer on their driver as he vies for the $3 million payout. Fans can change their picks until the scheduled start time for each event.
(Sprint Summer Showdown PR), for more info see Jayski's Contest page.(8-16-2011)
Ambrose wins at Watkins Glen: #9-Marcos Ambrose won the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International on Monday after the race was postponed Sunday because of rain. It is his 1st career win and he becomes the 5th first time winner of 2011 and the 15th different winner for the year.
#2-Keselowski finished 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #56-Truex, Tr., #20-Logano, #29-Harvick, #42-Montoya, #43-Allmendinger, #31-Burton, and #48-Johnson.
The race ended under caution after a wreck on the last lap between #6-Ragan and #00-Reutimann that caused Reutimann's car to flip.
#99-Edwards finished 13th and lost the points lead to #18-Kyle Busch. The two drivers are now tied with 752 points.
There were 14 lead changes among 9 drivers and 5 cautions for 13 yellow flag laps. The attendance is listed as 85,000, down from 90,000 last year.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Watkins Glen Race Results/Awards page.
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(8-15-2011)
Partial Cup schedules for Bayne, Stenhouse in 2012? Roush Fenway Racing still is sewing up sponsorship on the Sprint Cup Fords of #99-Carl Edwards, #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Matt Kenseth and #6-David Ragan. Trevor Bayne said Wood Brothers Racing still is hunting sponsorship, too, and he would like to run full time in 2012 if the money were available. The #21 hasn't run a full schedule since 2008, and Bayne said he is slated for 13 to 15 races next year.(USA Today)
AND: Ironically, had Edwards not announced last week that he was not leaving Roush Fenway Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Trevor Bayne would have been in line for Edwards' Cup ride. Now, Bayne likely will return to a part-ride Cup ride in the #21 Wood Brothers car and run a full or part-time Nationwide schedule at Roush. Stenhouse said he has no definitive plan other than he'd like to run a full Nationwide schedule for Roush and part-time Cup schedule. Stenhouse mentioned that Richard Petty Motorsports, which gets chassis and engines from RFR, might be looking to expand.(ESPN.com)(8-10-2011)
New sponsor for Richard Petty Motorsports: Roger J. Catarino, President and CEO of First Fruits Beverage Company, LLC, and Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) officials have announced a partnership centered around the new patented weight loss water beverage TrimFit. The associate sponsorship will showcase the brand on uniforms as well as on the Richard Petty Motorsports #43 Ford. TrimFit will have a presence with both of the RPM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams for the remainder of the 2011 season. In addition to a logo on the sleeve of the firesuit of Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #9 Stanley Ford Fusion, the company will be featured on the deck lid of the #43 Ford machine.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(8-3-2011)
Kwikset scheme for Ambrose at Atlanta: Kwikset, the authority in smart, simple security solutions, and Richard Petty Motorsports, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, and its driver Marcos Ambrose, have partnered to launch the Race to Smart Security Facebook Sweepstakes. The winner of this exciting program will have the opportunity to see Ambrose race a special Kwikset-branded #9 Ford Fusion at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 4. The sweepstakes program, which will run from Aug. 1 through Aug. 22, will award one lucky fan the ultimate VIP package – tickets, travel and accommodations for two to see Ambrose race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day Weekend, a fan experience with Ambrose and a $1,000 home security makeover with Kwikset locks. Fans can visit Kwikset's Facebook page and click on the custom sweepstakes tab from Aug. 1 through Aug. 22. Once fans "like" the landing page, they'll be entered to win a VIP package to the AdvoCare 500 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sept. 4, courtesy of Kwikset.(RPM), see images of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(8-2-2011)
Moffitt is new CEO of RPM: According to the Richard Petty Motorsports website, Brian Moffitt has been named CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports. Prior to his July 2011 appointment to CEO, Moffitt served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. A long-time Petty associate, Moffitt spent the past 15 years overseeing the acquisition of sponsorship and services for team owner Richard Petty and his entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Before that, he held the position of Sales Representative at UPS. Moffitt has Associate Degrees in both Marketing and Business Administration. He also attended East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.(7-21-2011)
CEO leaves RPM: Lisa Brown has left her position as CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports to become senior adviser to Andrew Murstein, president of Medallion Financial Corp. Brown orchestrated the restructuring of the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup program under its new ownership group and guided the company through that transition. She will now help Murstein build his latest venture, Medallion Sports Media, which was launched in April. Brown introduced the Nautica brand to NASCAR and will roll out several additional new sponsors for RPM through the remainder of the season.(FoxSports)(7-6-2011)
Race #100 for Ambrose: #9-Marcos Ambrose will be making his 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start this weekend at Daytona International Speedway in the Coke Zero 400, driving the #9 DeWalt Ford.(RPM)(6-30-2011)
Ambrose racing to benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Richard Petty Motorsports driver, Marcos Ambrose, and the #9 Stanley team will be "Racing for a Miracle" at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Sunday as an extra $1 million will be on the line should Ambrose win the 224-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. Longtime RPM sponsor Stanley will donate $1 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals if Ambrose crosses the finish line first in Sonoma as part of the "Racing for a Miracle" program. This multi-faceted program created by Stanley, the Ace Hardware Foundation and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals benefits sick and injured children by raising funds for the hospitals that provide their care. In addition to the possible $1 million donation, Stanley has already pledged $100,000 to the program. On Friday Ambrose with the assistance of four Children's Miracle Network Hospitals current and former hospital patients, will unveil a special paint scheme that will run this weekend on the # 9 Ford. The names of these four very special kids will be featured on the car and they will serve as honorary crew members of the # 9 team throughout the weekend. The special paint scheme on the #9 Stanley Ford will also include the names of one child from each U.S. state and Washington D.C. Each child featured on the car is a current or former Children's Miracle Network Hospitals patient who has overcome medical afflictions of every kind.(RPM), see an image of the car on my #9 team paint schemes page.(6-23-2011)
RPM owner still looking to bring NASCAR to NYC: Andrew Murstein made the roughly two-hour drive from New York City to Pocono Raceway for this Sunday's 5-Hour Energy 500 without complaint. But he is trying to revive interest in having NASCAR build a track so some day he can watch a race live without having to venture far from the heart of America's largest city. Murstein, who along with investor Douglas Bergeron purchased more than a 50% interest in Richard Petty Motorsports last November, said Saturday that he believes he could help such a venture succeed where previously similar efforts have failed. Asked how important Sunday's race that Pocono hosts is to the New York market, Murstein replied: "It's pretty important. Obviously it's the track that's closest to New York City. One of the things I'm talking to people back in New York City about -- in the really early stages -- is putting a track one day in New York City. Therefore, the people follow this to find out how well it does and how the fans turn out. I hope one day there is a track in New York City, because between that and Pocono, it would be great for the sport." Murstein, who is founder, president, board member and largest shareholder of Medallion Financial Corp., said he has opened preliminary discussions about the possibility with NASCAR as well as current and former New York state government officials. "I called NASCAR and said, 'Do you have any interest in looking at something for New York City?' And they said, 'Eventually.' But it's not at the top of their list," Murstein said.(NASCAR.com)(6-12-2011)
Petty pleased with 2 car effort: Richard Petty believes the decision to cut from four to two Sprint Cup teams is working for Richard Petty Motorsports. Another thing that could make running well easier is that improved performance always helps when seeking sponsorship. The team has STP on Allmendinger's # 43 car as part of a renewed relationship between Petty and the company. STP, which is under new ownership, is looking to revive its rich motorsports heritage and it's obvious it wants to do it with "The King," who drove an iconic STP paint scheme for decades. The easiest way to entice STP to come back for more races is with performance. The organization gets its cars from Roush Fenway Racing and its engines from Roush Yates Engines. The improved performance by both those groups has helped RPM. "[We wanted to] get a real good, strong two-car team before we ever even look at going to three or four cars," Petty said. "Eventually we would like to do that. But we're not going to do that until we get a good base with our two cars."(Scene Daily)(6-5-2011)
Sadler suing Petty Motorsports: Elliott Sadler is suing Richard Petty Motorsports for an unspecified amount of money, claiming in court documents that his former team is withholding a payment to him because it is wrongly accusing him of influencing Hunt Brothers Pizza to leave RPM and sponsor him at Kevin Harvick Inc. Sadler filed the lawsuit Tuesday in North Carolina Superior Court in Concord, N.C. The lawsuit is against the new ownership group of RPM, which was sold by the Gillett family to Richard Petty and two investors last November. Sadler drove for RPM from 2006-2010 and has a separation agreement with the new owners of RPM that require payments to him, according to the lawsuit. That separation agreement had a non-solicitation provision and RPM alleged that Sadler violated it after Hunt Brothers, which sponsored Sadler in 2010, announced it was sponsoring him and driver Kevin Harvick at KHI this year. In the lawsuit, Sadler claims that RPM is accusing him of violating the non-solicitation clause in their separation agreement in order not to pay him. RPM did not make an April 20 payment, Sadler alleges in the lawsuit.(Scene Daily)(6-1-2011)
Richard Petty Motorsports Fan Appreciation Day: Don't miss out on your chance to meet "The King", AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose during Richard Petty Motorsports' second annual Fan Appreciation Day on Thursday, May 26 from 7-11:30am/et. The event will provide fans with a morning full of family-fun and entertainment at the RPM shop in Concord, NC.
In an effort to say thank you to the fans, Richard Petty Motorsports will offer its loyal supporters with a unique experience to see the shop, obtain driver autographs and attend a Question-and-Answer session.
The first 200 people in line who donate a 24-pack of pencils to Classroom Central, will receive a commemorative ticket allowing them access to an autograph session that will include RPM drivers Allmendinger, Ambrose and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. In addition, ticket holders will be provided with free breakfast and a goody bag courtesy of RPM and its partners.
After the distribution of the commemorative tickets, fans will be invited to attend a Q-and-A session with Allmendinger, Ambrose and Petty. The Q-and-A session will be hosted by Miss Sprint Cup and is open to the public.
Everyone attending Fan Day will be given one raffle ticket that will put them in a drawing to be eligible to win items donated by Richard Petty Motorsports partners. Items up for raffle include a VIP meet and greet with AJ, Marcos and Richard, followed by lunch, various pieces of autographed sheet metal including a Stanley and Insignia racecar hood, Best Buy gift cards, a tool set courtesy of MAC Tools and a year supply of STP Octane Booster among other things.
In addition, four lucky raffle winners will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dunk crew chiefs Mike Shiplett and Todd Parrott in the dunk tank. Participants in the Q-and-A session will also get the chance to answer trivia questions allowing them a shot at dunking the pair.
Following the raffle, shop tours will conclude and only participants with the commemorative ticket will proceed inside the RPM shop for the autograph session.
All fans attending this fun-filled event will be able to see the inner workings of the RPM shop, tour one of the transport haulers, take photos next to Allmendinger's Best Buy Ford, Ambrose's Stanley or DEWALT Fords and Richard Petty's 1972 STP show car, visit the merchandise hauler and stop by partner displays to receive free give-a-ways. More info at richardpettymotorsports.com.(5-23-2011)
Richard Petty teams up with Tag Heuer: Known throughout the world for his signature sunglasses and cowboy hat, NASCAR legend Richard Petty has partnered with TAG Heuer and can now be seen sporting the TAG Heuer brand of sunglasses everywhere he goes. "I've been thoroughly enjoying my TAG Heuer sunglasses," stated Richard Petty "The fit is great, the quality and workmanship is outstanding and I couldn't ask for a better pair of glasses for protection of my eyes. Whether I'm at the race track or working around the farm, my TAG Heuer sunglasses are always on." Richard Petty is the owner and chairman of Richard Petty Motorsports.(RPM)(4-29-2011)
Petty says team now has good foundation: Richard Petty Motorsports hasn't had a great year on the track so far, but off the track team co-owner Richard Petty can see a big difference. Petty now has operational oversight of the team that bears his name, something he didn't have for the previous two years under the ownership of George Gillett and the Gillett family. Performance aside, Petty can feel the difference in the shop. "All the guys working on the cars and stuff act like they enjoy what they're doing more," Petty said Thursday night at Texas Motor Speedway. The team does not have the debt that it had in the past and while it is designed to eventually make money, it can create its budget based off sponsorship revenues and race winnings to cover operations of the team and not to pay off loans. "We've got a better foundation," Petty said. "And I know the foundation is pretty good. The last three years, it's not been that steady. We feel like with the team, we've got something to build off of now that's going to be steady. We've got to work hard to build something."(Scene Daily)(4-9-2011)
Marcos Ambrose starts UARA team: #9-Marcos Ambrose knows very well that the path to the top of NASCAR is tough, and now he is using his years of experience to assist young up and coming Australian drivers through the North American stock car ranks. Based in the motorsport hub of North Carolina, Marcos Ambrose Motorsport has been set up to field Late Model stock cars in the UARA Stars Touring Series, with the team set to field 24 year old Australian George Miedecke in the Jeld-Wen Australia sponsored #9 racer. The program has been developed to equip drivers with the best possible race machinery, give exclusive access to Ambrose's advice, guidance and industry connections, as well as to his marketing and public relations team.(Marcos Ambrose Motorsport)(3-5-2011)
Evernham suing Gillett: Ray Evernham has filed a lawsuit seeking $19.3 millon from the man who purchased the majority interest of Evernham Motorsports from him in 2007. The suit, filed on Tuesday in North Carolina Superior Court in Mecklenburg County, was filed against Booth Creek Management and Gillett GEMS, LLC for money not paid in the sale. Gillett GEMS, LLC is a corporation of four members that includes George Gillett Jr., who purchased Evernham Motorsports, which later became Gillett Evernham Motorsports and then Richard Petty Motorsports. Evernham charges in the suit that Gillett breached an agreement to pay the remaining 20 percent owed for the Sprint Cup organization.(ESPN.com)(2-24-2011)
Forbes names most valuable NASCAR teams & highest paid drivers: The weak economy has pummeled NASCAR over the past three years, with sponsorships, merchandise sales, race winnings and subsidies from automakers falling. Fans have tuned out, sending TV ratings down 24% since 2006 and leaving more than 40,000 empty seats at some races last year. One of its longest-tenured teams, Richard Petty Motorsports, was scrambling for cash on a week-to-week basis so it could race on weekends last fall. Is NASCAR headed for a full-blown meltdown? Hardly. Yes, the value of the top 10 teams slid 5% in 2010, on average, to $136 million by [Forbes] count, as prize money dropped and sponsors dialed back their commitment, but a rebound in 2011 for the sport is a strong possibility. NASCAR's strongest and most valuable team remains Hendrick Motorsports. With a valuation of $350 million on revenues of $177 million in 2010, Hendrick is worth 56% more than the next-highest-grossing team, Roush Fenway Racing, which [Forbes] value at $224 million on revenues of $140 million last year. Hendrick earned a NASCAR-high $18 million in operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2010. Richard Childress Racing was third on the list, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing. Rounding out the top 10: Stewart-Haas, Michael Waltrip Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Red Bull Racing.
AND: Despite his lack of success in recent years on the track, Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains NASCAR's highest-paid driver, earning $29 million in 2010 thanks to merchandise sales that are the best in the sport and reportedly account for one-third of all NASCAR licensed merchandise sales. Other income streams include a 10-figure annual salary from Hendrick and a 50% share of his $4.9 million in winnings and bonuses in 2010 from Sprint Cup races. Earnhardt also has a bevy of personal endorsements, including Chevrolet, Nationwide and Wrangler. Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon follows Earnhardt in the NASCAR money standings with earnings of $25 million last year. It is a clean sweep for Hendrick at the top with five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, the third-highest-paid driver at $24 million. The rest of the top 10: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth.(Forbes)(2-24-2011)
RPM already looking in to expansion: Expansion is already on Richard Petty Motorsport's plate for 2012, Team co-owner Andrew Murstein is looking towards growth to help boost a program whose #43 car hasn't won since Spring 1999 at Martinsville. Here's the catch: in a world full of 2012 free agents, where Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers, and Greg Biffle top the list of possibilities, this car owner is looking to break the mold by picking an unproven driver -- but not just any rookie.
"If there was one driver that was out there, I would go for something new and different," he says. "I think that's what the sport's lacking. There's no perfect answer for that, but a woman driver would be a terrific accomplishment for us. Whether it's someone like Danica [Patrick], or it's someone like Johanna Long. If there was an up-and-coming African-American driver, that would be my focal point. I want to make a game-changing decision in this sport to try to bring it to another level."(Sports Illustrated)(2-18-2011)
Richard Petty Motorsports owner interested in Danica, Bowyer: Now that Richard Petty Motorsports is on firm financial footing, don't be surprised if Danica Patrick is part of a conversation about the organization's future. Financier Andrew Murstein, one of Richard Petty's partners in the revamped RPM, thinks Patrick would be an excellent fit for the Sprint Cup team. When 2012 arrives, however, Murstein would like to see a third car in the stable, and Patrick, who currently drives part-time for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, is an intriguing possibility. Clint Bowyer of Richard Childress Racing is another driver who has caught Murstein's eye. Murstein said he eventually would like to see four Cup teams at RPM.(Sporting News)(1-27-2011)
Evernham concerned with owners' ability to walk away: Former Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Tuesday that he is troubled by the ability of owners to pull up stakes and leave the sport without paying their bills. While never identifying former partner George Gillett by name, Evernham said, "When a company goes out of business or leaves without paying people, it's not just drivers and crewchiefs (who are affected). There are tons of other people who get hurt. People are allowed to fly back to their lives on private jets, drink champagne and (go) skiing, while other people are left trying to figure out how to put food on the table. That kind of pisses me off. It's a shame that there are a lot of really good people who are owed a heck of a lot of money," said Evernham. "The press releases go out talking about how great everyone is doing now, and that's not totally true. There are a lot of people who have been left holding the bag, and a lot of people out of work. All you can do is hope that what goes around, comes around, and that the legal system -- or karma -- take care of it at some point."(Sirius Speedway)(1-27-2011)
Richard Petty Motorsports announces sponsor lineup: Richard Petty Motorsports announced the 2011 partner lineup for the #9 and #43 Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. The sponsor line up for 2011 includes several organizations that have partnered with Richard Petty in the past. Stanley, an RPM sponsor since 2005, returns for the 2011 season. The 2011 season will also have a new addition to the RPM partner family as DEWALT returns to the sport. Both brands will serve as primary sponsors of the #9 Ford driven by Marcos Ambrose. Best Buy will return to sponsor the #43 Ford and driver AJ Allmendinger for 24 races. Leading that team will be Mike Shiplett, who has worked with Allmendinger for several years at Richard Petty Motorsports. Valvoline, U.S. Air Force, WIX Filters, Reynolds and Paralyzed Veterans of America will round out the sponsorship package on the famed # 43 car for the 2011 season.(RPM), and see images of the #9 scheme on the #9 Team Schemes page.
AND Air Force officials announced that it would renew its NASCAR partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and the #43 car with driver A.J. Allmendinger for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Air Force is both a primary and associate sponsor of the #43 car, driven by A.J. Allmendinger. As a primary sponsor, the car will feature the Air Force paint scheme in two of 36 NASCAR points races this season.(Air Force PR)(1-24-2011)
2010 News
New RPM owner wants to build race track in New York: Now that the president of Medallion Financial Corp., Taxi tycoon Andrew Murstein, has purchased NASCAR racing team Richard Petty Motorsports for less than $50 million, sources close to the situation tell us, Murstein intends to finally establish a track here [New York City area] and make New Yorkers fans of the supercharged sport. It's not a new idea. A company called International Speedway attempted to build a track on Staten Island earlier this decade, until opposition from nearby residents killed the project by 2007. The Medallion mogul's idea is to build the track to co-exist with horse racing at Aqueduct in Queens or at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. [New York Daily News] sources say he'll soon begin lobbying state and city officials. Even if local officials are receptive, Murstein could face a tough sell with the public. Though NASCAR is second only to NFL football in sports TV ratings, audiences have reportedly declined.(New York Daily News)(12-16-2010)
Layoffs precede Richard Petty deal: Richard Petty Motorsports cut 75 jobs a week before the company was acquired by the racing legend and other investors. The Concord-based team had struggled financially and announced Nov. 22 its plans to field two cars in the NASCAR circuit in 2011, down from four. That same day, the firm notified N.C. regulators of the termination of 75 employees. On Tuesday, Richard Petty Motorsports announced its sale to an investment group comprised of Richard Petty, Medallion Financial Corp. of New York and DGB Investments of San Jose, Calif. The sales price was undisclosed. Andrew Murstein, Medallion Financial president, says the layoffs leave the race operation with about 80 employees. The cuts reflect Petty Motorsports’ financial struggles and had been planned for some time. “I hope to get back to four teams and hire them back,” Murstein adds. Murstein hopes to gear up to three teams in 2012 and reach a fourth “shortly thereafter.”(Charlotte Business Journal)(12-2-2010)
RPM purchased by Richard Petty and others MORE: Richard Petty Motorsports signed and closed a sale of its racing assets to an investment group comprised of Richard Petty, Medallion Financial Corp. and DGB Investments. Richard Petty will serve as Chairman and will be actively involved in overseeing day-to-day operations of the company. As previously announced, the team will operate the legendary #43 car driven by AJ Allmendinger and the #9 car driven by Marcos Ambrose. “Today is a great day for me, my family, our fans and our wonderful sponsors. Ford, Stanley, Best Buy, Valvoline, Reynolds, Air Force, Super 8, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), WIX Filters and Menards have supported me through thick and thin and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Petty.
Andrew Murstein, President of Medallion Financial, commented: “We could not be happier to be able to acquire these assets together. Richard is one of the greatest names, not only in NASCAR, but in all sports. His name and image are a world recognized brand with unlimited potential to grow and expand in racing. Ample working capital has been invested in the company to insure this great team and legend will not only continue to perform, but will thrive and be back in the winner’s circle.”
“George and Foster Gillett deserve a great deal of credit for running a successful race team,” commented Petty. “They made a significant investment into the business and helped get back into Victory Lane. Going forward, we have put together an all-star ownership team consisting of myself, Medallion, and VeriFone CEO Doug Bergeron.”
Medallion Financial, a publicly traded investment company, has invested over $3 billion in companies since its IPO in 1996 and its board members include such notables as former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, former Connecticut Governor and Senator Lowell Weicker, and another “King” of his sport, Hank Aaron. The Murstein family is the largest shareholder in Medallion, owning approximately 20 percent.
DGB Investments is an investment vehicle of Canadian-born investor Douglas G. Bergeron, CEO of VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), San Jose, Calif. In 2001, Bergeron and DGB participated in the acquisition of VeriFone Systems from Hewlett-Packard in a transaction valued at $50 million. Today, VeriFone’s market value exceeds $3 billion dollars and Bergeron remains CEO and one of the largest individual shareholders.
Douglas Bergeron commented, “With Richard Petty’s unmatched name and reputation in the motorsports industry, I know this investment is well-timed to succeed. We are going to help put Richard Petty Motorsports back in Victory Lane.” Richard Petty concluded, “Our partnership with Andy Murstein and Doug Bergeron will help take us to a whole new level and I could not be more excited about our future.”(RPM PR)(11-29-2010)
MORE: RPM will operate as a two-car organization with AJ Allmendinger in the famed #43 that Petty drove to 198 [of 200] wins and seven championships and Marcos Ambrose in the #9. Sources said rights to the owner's points for the #98 driven by Paul Menard are moving to Menard at Richard Childress Racing [#27 Chevy] and the points from the #19 driven by Elliott Sadler are expected to go to the #21 owned by the Wood Brothers. Andrew Murstein, the president of Medallion Financial, said he agreed to get involved only if Petty made a substantial commitment along with his company and DGB. While he couldn't divulge details due to a confidentiality agreement, Murstein said all three parties invested millions of dollars. Murstein said the more than $100 million of debt on RPM operations has been paid off. "A fresh start for Petty coming in with no debt,'' he said. The sale of RPM's racing assets to Medallion Financial and DGB Investments not only takes Gillett out of ownership but also Ray Evernham, who remained a minority owner after selling what was Evernham Motorsports to Gillett in 2007.(ESPN)
Ford Statement: Statement from Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports, on Richard Petty Motorsports:
“We’re elated that Richard Petty has been able to complete this very complex task of restructuring Richard Petty Motorsports. Everyone knows that The King is a motorsports icon and to have him part of the Ford Racing family is something we cherish. We’re also excited about moving forward with Andy Murstein and Doug Bergeron, two men whose knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be successful will serve RPM well in the future. I am extending a personal welcome to Andy and Doug from all of us at Ford. Now, we can concentrate on the task at hand, which is getting AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose the resources they need to win races and make the Chase in 2011.”(Ford Racing)(11-29-2010)
Evernham still unsure of 2011 plans: Ray Evernham isn’t sure what he’ll do in 2011. The three-time champion crew chief for Jeff Gordon and former team owner could continue to work for ESPN, work for another race team or just continue running his race track and developing a modified dirt car designed for new and part-time racers. Evernham has not been allowed to work for a team since selling the majority of his Evernham Motorsports to George Gillett in 2007. With an exclusive consulting clause included in his agreement with Gillett as part of the sale, Evernham has not had a role in the NASCAR garage beyond his work as a commentator for ESPN. For 2011, Evernham believes he is “free and clear” from any commitments to Glllett (whose Richard Petty Motorsports is being restructured without Gillett playing no role in the new company) and the 53-year-old is looking for his next opportunity. “[I] don’t have a complete direction for next year,” Evernham said last week. “Obviously I’ve been buried under a mire of legal paperwork, caught up in something I don’t want to be involved in. It is what it is. I think I’m probably as apprehensive or a little bit nervous about my future as I ever have been.” Does he want to get back in the garage working for a team? “It would be on that part-time basis,” Evernham said. “I have no desire to be the guy on the top of the box to try to come in and save the day. I’m past that. That was a different time in my life, and the sport was different." Evernham has talked with Hendrick Motorsports, where he earned his three NASCAR Cup titles with Jeff Gordon, about consulting roles and even roles outside the motorsports operation. Evernham, who owns East Lincoln Speedway, a dirt track in Stanley, N.C., has also developed a new dirt Legends car, which is being sold through Bruton Smith’s U.S. Legends Cars International. “I love my ESPN job and I love the people I work with,” Evernham said. “We’re talking about that. We haven’t talked about specifics, but I haven’t made any decisions because I haven’t had enough time to think about it quite yet. Everybody always tells you that there are going to be a ton of offers coming your way, and your biggest fear is that they don’t. Obviously, I’ve had a great time doing ESPN, and I am talking to them.”(SceneDaily)(11-29-2010)
Parrott named Ambrose's crew chief: Todd Parrott will be the crew chief for Marcos Ambrose and the #9 Stanley Tools Ford for the team currently known as Richard Petty Motorsports. Parrott, a 26-year NASCAR veteran, started as a crew chief in 1996 with Dale Jarrett at Robert Yates Racing and won the Cup title in 1999. He most recently worked with Elliott Sadler at RPM. Parrott is looking forward to forging a new relationship with Ambrose, 33, who returns to Fords for his third full season in Sprint Cup. “I’ve been spending time with him dating back to (the race at) Kansas or Fontana,” Parrott said. “We’ve been talking, working on communication. He’s been coming over here, getting fitted for seats. He has some ideas of what he wants, what he’s looking for so the conversations between us have been very good. “Once the dust settles and the smoke clears it will all be good. The cars continue to get better. The simulation programs are better. Just look at how the (RPM #'s) 9 and 43 (of AJ Allmendinger) ran on Sunday at Homestead. I can’t wait to get started.”(FoxSports)(11-23-2010)
Evernham back to Hendrick? Ray Evernham is talking to ESPN about continuing his career as a television analyst, but he's also exploring other options in NASCAR. And he plans to meet with Hendrick about a potential return to the organization where he won three championships as Jeff Gordon's crew chief in the 1990s. "Rick and I just have to meet and discuss things," Evernham said. "I'm interested in a lot of things Rick is doing, on a global basis." Evernham isn't interested in being a crew chief again, and he doesn't sound particularly enthusiastic about the idea of trying to straighten out Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the struggling #88 team. Instead, Evernham hopes to talk to Hendrick about working on big-picture projects related to Hendrick's worldwide business interests. "I want to be a project guy -- on a project, see results, move on," Evernham said.(Associated Press)(11-21-2010)
Petty says RPM will compete in 2011: Stopping short of saying he has financial investors to keep his Sprint Cup organization afloat, Richard Petty said Saturday that Richard Petty Motorsports will compete in 2011. This came a week after the minority owner of RPM said he was in limbo for next year. Employees at RPM will get an indication Monday morning of how the company will move forward. According to a memo, a mandatory 8:00am/et meeting has been called, with instructions for no one to come to work before then. "We're going to make it," Petty said. "That's all I can say now." A source in the Cup garage said RPM, in order to restructure its financial situation, may have to shut its doors for at least a day, release most employees, then re-open. Petty would not confirm that, saying only "nothing's off the table." Regardless, major layoffs will occur as RPM will shrink from four cars to two after this season, with AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose the only drivers under contract. Petty would not confirm he has found investors to make it, but several sources in the Cup garage said the pieces appear in place. Ford Racing officials met with Petty for a briefing Saturday. Afterward, Ford spokesman Kevin Kennedy said: "It was a good meeting. We're confident it will get worked out.''
Edsel Ford II, a member of Ford's board of directors, said keeping RPM in the fold is paramount. "We've done everything we can,'' he said. "Quite frankly, a lot of their suppliers have done the same."(ESPN)(11-21-2010)
Almirola to get married in December: After Sunday's race, #9-Aric Almirola will turn his attention to a very important date. On Saturday, Dec. 11, just 20 days following the close of the 2010 NASCAR season, Almirola will tie the knot with fiancée Janice Goss in a ceremony attended by close friends and family in Huntersville, N.C. The two first met in 2005 when Almirola ran several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races for Morgan Dollar Motorsports and Goss' dad, Randy, served as crew chief for the team. They began dating shortly thereafter and were engaged to be married in November 2009.(RPM)(11-21-2010)
Evernham no longer legally bound to RPM: Famed crew chief and ESPN analyst Ray Evernham is free to return to the competition side of the Sprint Cup Series. Evernham said Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he no longer is legally bound to the exclusivity deal at financially strapped Richard Petty Motorsports that kept him from entertaining offers from other organizations. He said he will entertain offers of being a consultant, making it clear he does not want to return full-time. "Ray Evernham, for the first time coming into the final race of a NASCAR season, does not have a complete direction for next year,'' Evernham said. "Obviously, I have been buried under a mire of legal paperwork, caught up in something I don't really want to be involved in. But it is what it is. I'm probably as apprehensive or a little bit nervous about my future as Ray Evernham has been. I am free and clear according to my people now. Basically, every contract I've had has been breached in every shape or form.'' Evernham sold majority interest in Evernham Motorsports in 2007 to George Gillett. That organization later merged with Petty Enterprises to become Richard Petty Motorsports, but it kept Evernham in the loop as a consultant and would not allow him to work with other teams. Evernham said he has not brought legal action against Gillett for outstanding money owed him in the original transaction, but he has hired attorneys that have plans in place to do so, if necessary. "Honestly, the thing before you file a lawsuit, you have to make sure there is something to get,'' he said. Evernham isn't sure whether he'll remain with ESPN in 2011 or be with a race organization, or both. There has been speculation that he could return to Hendrick Motorsports, where he helped Jeff Gordon win three of his four titles and help turn around the struggling Dale Earnhardt Jr. "I love my ESPN job and the people I work with,'' Evernham said. "So we're talking about that. We haven't talked about specifics. I haven't made any decisions because I haven't had enough time to talk about it.''(ESPN.com)(11-20-2010)
Gillett at Homestead, refuses to talk: Foster Gillett appeared at a NASCAR track for the first time since financial problems began consuming his team. As he climbed from the top of the #19 Richard Petty Motorsports hauler, Gillett, the managing partner of the company his father, George Gillett, purchased in August 2007, refused to answer questions that have been on the minds of many — from suppliers to whom RPM owes money to drivers who want to know what their situations are for next year.
When asked where have you been, Gillett refused to answer. When asked if his family still had majority interest of Richard Petty Motorsports, Gillett refused to answer.
The latest scenario in the garage has RPM closing the doors on Monday and reopening under a newly founded company with two teams — the #43 and #9 — and the ability to rehire select employees from the existing rosters and some fresh faces. A.J. Allmendinger is signed to drive the #43, and Marcos Ambrose will take over the #9. Stanley, which is currently the sponsor on the #19 of Elliott Sadler, has signed on to return next year. Best Buy, the primary sponsor of the #43, has not yet.
RPM has three teams in the top 25 in the points standings, but sources say that #98-Paul Menard, who is joining Richard Childress Racing in 2011 [running the #27 at RCR], has commandeered his points for next year. That means his Childress team will be exempt from having to qualify for the first six events next year.(in part from FoxSports)(11-19-2010)
RPM on road to Homestead: After a brief delay Wednesday at Roush Fenway Racing, which supplies Richard Petty Motorsports with its NASCAR Sprint Cup cars, the team is on the road to Homestead-Miami Speedway. The organization has faced financial struggles in recent weeks and was delayed transporting its cars from the race at Texas to last week's race at Phoenix International Raceway because of those (FoxSports)(11-18-2010)
Special guest for Almirola: On Friday, #9-Aric Almirola will be joined at the track by his paternal grandmother, Eneida Almirola, whose visit to Homestead-Miami Speedway will mark the first time she’s ever been to a race track in her entire life. Abuela Eneida, a Cuban native, first came to the United States in 1966 with her husband, Rafael, and their two sons, Rafael Jr. (Almirola’s father) and Robert. Their family was granted access to fly from Cuba to America on the Freedom Flights that brought them into Miami. Once they landed they were given $100 to make a new life for themselves in the United States -- $50 for being a married couple and $25 for each child. They eventually settled in Tampa, Fla., where Almirola’s Abuelo Ralph opened a TV repair business. Abuela Eneida will be joined at the track by both of her sons as well.(RPM PR)(11-18-2010)
Edwards wins with FR9 Engine, will run all races in 2011: Carl Edwards’ Ford Fusion has been on an impressive winning streak, earning front row starting positions and capturing the win in the last two Nationwide Series races. Edward’s also qualified on the pole during this week’s Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway and swept the weekend by winning the Kobalt Tools 500. Edwards drives the #99 Aflac Ford Fusion powered by Roush Yates’ new FR9 engine. The FR9 is the first Ford purpose-built race engine ever engineered and produced at Roush Yates Engines in Mooresville, NC. The new Ford engine has been integrated slowly into the Sprint Cup Series throughout the second half of the 2010 season with help from Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports’ cars racing the engine intermittently. It has been a remarkable learning period for the FR9, with a total of 5 poles and 3 wins, including Edwards’ win this weekend that required both horsepower and efficient fuel mileage to beat Championship contenders Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin. “The new FR9 engine that Ford helped us with certainly was a factor today,” said Jack Roush, owner of Roush Fenway Racing. “The fact that we were able to save gas and still have enough speed to maintain position on the race track was all very good. I’m thrilled to be in Victory Lane this weekend.” Even though a Championship is out of reach for Ford this year, the FR9 engine has shown an impressive increase in performance and reliability throughout the second half of the 2010 Sprint Cup season. These improvements bring enthusiasm to the Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines camps, as they plan to run the FR9 in all Ford cars for the full 2011 Sprint Cup Season.
“I’m excited to be running the FR9 in all Fords for the entire 2011 Sprint Cup Season and soon to come for the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series,” said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Carl’s win at Phoenix is just another testament to the power Roush Yates’ FR9 engine is capable of. Everyone at the engine shop has been working hard to get this engine just right, and we are extremely proud of Roush Fenway Racing and their accomplishments with it this year. I look forward to watching the FR9 race at Ford Championship weekend next week at Homestead, as well as the 2011 Sprint Cup Season.”(Roush Yates Engines)(11-15-2010)
RPM at Phoenix, plan on being at Homestead: While the four Richard Petty Motorsports teams were prepping cars for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup practice at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday morning, the regular chain of command was nowhere to be found. Robbie Loomis, executive director of racing operations, was scheduled in before qualifying. Sammy Johns, director of operations was preparing to run a half-Ironman in the Beach to Battleship Triathalon in Wilmington, N.C. In the lounge of the #43 transporter was Dr. Eric Warren, former technical director of Evernham Motorsports who revised his role at RPM specializing in simulation projects, who jokingly deferred responsibility to Mike Shiplett, crew chief of the #43 team. “We’re here to sit on the pole and win the race,” Shiplett said, sounding like Loomis. Shiplett is encouraged about this weekend’s activities after his driver, AJ Allmendinger, won the pole at Phoenix in April and finished 15th. And since Allmendinger participated in the Goodyear tire test at Homestead in September, Shiplett feels the team will be strong in the season finale next weekend. “I think he’ll be good there,” Shiplett said. “He really liked the new tires — thought they had more grip and were able to fall off. When you have speed and fall off that makes for great racing. That puts the racing back in the driver’s hands.” As far as whether RPM will have cars for next week, Shilplett says everything is right on schedule. “We have our Homestead cars ready and are expecting delivery on the engines today,“ Shiplett said. “We’ll put the engines in on Monday, chassis dyno the cars on Tuesday, Wednesday we’ll do the final scales and the cars will be ready to go to Homestead (FoxSports)(11-13-2010)
Richard Petty Motorsports on hold: The situation at Richard Petty Motorsports remains tenuous at best, despite reports to the contrary. Last week team officials said everything was set for this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway as well as the season finale the following week. But five truck drivers remained in Fort Worth at Texas Motor Speedway waiting for the call as to whether they were heading west to the next race or back to the shop in the east as of Tuesday evening. The organization has been in limbo as team owner George Gillett is still reeling from the financial hit he took Oct. 15 when the English soccer team he co-owned -- Liverpool Football Club -- was taken over.
RPM had planned to run two cars next season with AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose. However, until money can be secured to settle the current debts at RPM, it’s uncertain how much longer the organization will be around. Sources told FOXSports.com that Richard Petty, the team's namesake, was in talks with Andrew Murstein, President of Medallion Financial Group, in a bid to gain financial control of the company from Gillett.
As a backup plan for Paul Menard, who has already announced that he will leave RPM to drive for Richard Childress Racing in 2011, the #10 Stavola Labonte Racing Chevy stayed within two hours of Texas Motor Speedway in case it needs to turn around and head to Phoenix for Menard’s use. Stavola Labonte Racing has a technical alliance with RCR.(FoxSports)(11-10-2010)
RPM 'in limbo' in quest for backing beyond 2010: Richard Petty says he is closer than he was two weeks ago to finding a solution that will keep Richard Petty Motorsports alive. "What that something is I don't know yet," Petty said before Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. "We thought it was [done] last week. Last week we thought it was the week before. Still in limbo." Petty has been seeking investors to help regain majority control from George Gillett since it was reported two weeks ago that Gillett's financial difficulties that escalated from the recent sale of the Liverpool soccer club were putting his racing organization in jeopardy. The situation was so dire that there were concerns whether RPM would keep its doors open for the remainder of the Sprint Cup season. Robbie Loomis, vice president for competition, said Saturday that the organization had enough backing to finish the final three races -- at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedway. "As far as I know," Petty said. "The cars are here [and] ready to go to Phoenix." Petty said the outpouring of support to keep RPM on the track has been overwhelming. "There's been a lot of support to keep us running from all facets, from manufacturers and fans and NASCAR, even the competitors," Petty said. Among those who have offered help is former team owner Ray Evernham, who still has a minority interest in RPM after selling majority interest of what was then Evernham Motorsports to Gillett in 2007. "He called and said, 'What can I do?' " Petty said. "Right now, we don't know." Petty declined to comment on whether he would have majority control ultimately. "I don't know what we've got to do to make it work," he said. "Until we figure it out, can't do nothing."(ESPN)(11-8-2010)
RPM will finish out season with four cars: Richard Petty Motorsports has the financial backing to finish the season and is working toward running a two-car Sprint Cup car operation in 2011, vice president of competition of Robbie Loomis said on Saturday. "It's been amazing to me, the support from owners and drivers who have come up and been able to help keep us going ... past crew chiefs," Loomis said after the final Cup practice at Texas Motor Speedway leading up to Sunday's race. "People have really been supportive of helping us continue along and get to a better place." Among those helping RPM is former team owner and crew chief Ray Evernham, who still has a minority ownership stake in the team after selling what was then Evernham Motorsports to George Gillett in 2007. Gillett later merged with Petty Enterprises to form Richard Petty Motorsports. Gillett's recent financial difficulties surrounding the sale of the Liverpool soccer club left the racing team so strapped for money that two weeks ago there were questions of whether RPM could pay the bills necessary to finishing the season. Since then minority owner Richard Petty has been looking for investors to retake majority ownership from Gillett and keep the team afloat through the final race of this season. Loomis said the latter no longer is an issue. "Every car owner, every manufacturer has been behind us," he said. "Ford has been incredible in their ability to keep us healthy. Jack Roush and what his crowd has done has been amazing. For Richard it has been very rewarding to see everybody supporting us the way they have." Roush Fenway Racing supplies cars for RPM and Roush Yates Engines supplies engines. Roush said two weeks ago at Martinsville that RPM was up to date on its bills, but added there was at least one payment to be made before the season ended. Loomis said RPM is undecided with which crew members from the #19 team of Sadler and #98 team of Paul Menard will be retained. "We've definitely got some plans," he said. "The roster is already put together. ... Everyone knows we're a four-car team and working on laying out our plans to get to two cars. We've had a lot of talk about running a third car for the first five races with other interests. We've got the points for it."(ESPN)(11-7-2010)
Evernham to help Petty with RPM: Richard Petty Motorsports minority owner Ray Evernham confirmed today that Petty is assembling the financing necessary to bid for control of the troubled team, and said he will do whatever he can to ensure the success of that venture. Evernham told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody, “I’m going to do everything I can to help (Richard). The situation surrounding that team lately has been a... legal and financial nightmare. I don’t have an interest in owning a piece of the team anymore, but if it comes down to helping Richard bridge a financial gap for the time being, I would absolutely do what it took to help him achieve his goal.”
Evernham expressed confidence that Petty will be able to field a full roster of four cars in the remaining races of the 2010 season. “(Richard) has a lot of people behind him,” said Evernham. “He is doing the right thing for racing and doing his best to keep a lot of people employed.” Despite still owning a minority stake in the team, Evernham said, “I don’t get communication from George Gillett. I haven’t spoken to him in months. All I know is that there are good things happening from the Richard Petty side of things. The #43 and Richard Petty need to be in NASCAR, both now and in the future. There are lots of people -- including me and in addition to me – who want to see him succeed.”
One of the team's drivers, Stanley Tools Ford driver Elliott Sadler, said news of Petty’s involvement has helped calm fears among team employees about the future of the company. “I think people were more scared at Martinsville than they are now," said Sadler. "Richard Petty has gotten a lot more involved in the last couple of weeks and that has put people at ease. I’m confident that we’re going to be here for the remainder of the season. Richard Petty deserves to be part of this sport. He’s a good guy, and he’s lots of fun to race for. It wouldn’t seem right to be at the racetrack without seeing that cowboy hat and sunglasses.”(Sirius Speedway)(11-3-2010)
Bud to remain on the #9: Budweiser will remain on the #9 Ford at Richard Petty Motorsports for the final three Sprint Cup events of the season, a team spokesman said on Tuesday. There was speculation the sponsor would not be on the car past last weekend's race at Talladega Superspeedway after a report surfaced that Anheuser-Busch would not make its final payment to RPM with Kasey Kahne no longer in the car. RPM officials said Tuesday that Anheuser-Busch has paid through the end of the season, assuring the Bud logo will remain on the #9 car. "The Budweiser car is a fixture in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we look forward to finishing out the season," an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said. Aric Almirola will drive the #9 for the third straight race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. He replaced Kahne, who was released to move to Red Bull Racing, where he will compete full-time next season. All four RPM cars are entered in Sunday's race at Texas. According to a member of the team's public relations department, it has been business as usual at RPM's shop in Concord, N.C. Meanwhile, minority owner Richard Petty continues to seek investors that would help him purchase controlling interest of RPM from financially-strapped owner George Gillett Jr. Gillett has not returned repeated phone calls from ESPN.com seeking comment (ESPN)(11-3-2010)
Petty still looking for control of RPM: Richard Petty continues to seek investors in a bid to purchase a controlling stake in the team that bears his name. In addition to Petty, at least one other group has expressed interest in making a bid for the financially troubled Richard Petty Motorsports team, but sources say Wachovia Bank -- lead lender for majority owner George Gillett and holder of a defaulted $90 note on the team -- is waiting for Petty to assemble his investor group. Petty's initial offer was said to be long on demands for operational control of the team, but short on cash.(Sirius Speedway)(11-2-2010)
Budweiser not making final payment to RPM? Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Budweiser has told Richard Petty Motorsports that the team will not receive the final installment of its 2010 sponsorship contract. Bud's contract called for Kasey Kahne to be the driver of the Budweiser Ford, and when Kahne left the team five races early to join Red Bull Racing, that contract became null and void. There has been no confirmation from either the team or Budweiser, and no word on what the final installment of that sponsorship would have been worth to the team.(Sirius Speedway)(10-29-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports' director of competition Robbie Loomis expects the organization to stay status quo until the end of the season. Despite rumors of doom and gloom surrounding the organization - and the latest allegation that Budweiser will not fulfill its contractual obligations with the final payment on its sponsorship of the #9 entry - Loomis insists that RPM will field four cars throughout the remainder of the NASCAR season. When asked about the status of the #9 Ford, a spokesperson for Budweiser said, "Our policy is to not comment on contractual agreements." However, rumors of their early departure has been floating around for a week - ever since Kasey Kahne extricated himself from the car after Charlotte. RPM had planned to run two cars next season with AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose. However, until money can be secured to settle the current debts at RPM, it's uncertain what the lineup will look like. Multiple sources insist that Richard Petty will divest himself from majority owner George Gillett as early as next week. However, Loomis said he is in constant contact with the Gilletts and they will remain the owners of the company. This weekend on the competition side, Loomis and Sammy Johns, director of operations, are calling the shots.(Fox Sports)
AND: Another source close to RPM said lenders had taken back the team from majority owner George Gillett and had approved a plan for Richard Petty to manage the team’s day-to-day operations, but official team sources would neither confirm nor deny that, nor say who was currently running the team or if Gillett was gone.(SPEED)(10-30-2010)
RPM looking for Investors: UPDATE 2: George Gillett's financial difficulty following the sale of Liverpool FC has thrown the future of Richard Petty Motorsports into doubt and left the NASCAR team's owners and lenders searching for investors to keep the team afloat. The Gilletts and Pettys, which are two of the NASCAR team's principal owners, began an aggressive search for investors this month. RPM has hired the Gordian Group, a New York-based investment bank, to assist them in their search, while the syndicate of banks that lent Gillett more than $90 million to buy the team have been working with FTI Consulting, a global consultancy specializing in corporate finance, to find investors, sources said. A spokeswoman for RPM declined to comment.
The search for funding for RPM follows a challenging financial year for Gillett. The team reportedly defaulted on its roughly $90 million loan last February, and Gillett, who owns as much as 70% of the team, has been unable to restructure it. Gillett was counting on the sale of his stake in Liverpool FC to assist him in funding the NASCAR team. But Liverpool sold two weeks ago for $475 million, a sum far less than Gillett and co-owner Tom Hicks expected and one that has put a heavy strain on Gillett's liquidity.
The team was renamed Richard Petty Motorsports in 2009 after Gillett formed a partnership with Petty that gave the NASCAR great a roughly 4% stake in the team. The partnership followed the closure of Petty Enterprises. RPM plans to run two cars next season after running four this year. Only one of the 2011 cars, the #9 Stanley Tools Ford to be driven by Marcos Ambrose, is sponsored. The team remains in negotiations with Best Buy about extending its sponsorship of the #43 car driven by AJ Allmendinger.(full article at the Sporting News/SportsBusiness Journal)(10-26-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports majority owner George Gillett, Jr., made a major move to shore-up the financial standing of the team Tuesday. His Booth Creek Resort Properties LLC sold its stock in the companies that operate the Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort to Vail Resorts Tuesday for $63 million. Gillett reportedly owes approximately $70 million to Wachovia Bank from his purchase of the team formerly known as Evernham Motorsports. It is also believed that he continues to make payments to Evernham for the team, and Evernham told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that Gillett is current in his payments. The former car owner and championship-winning crewchief declined to discuss the inner workings of the team, beyond confirming that he receives regular updates on RPM's finances. Informed sources say that without the infusion of capital, RPM would not have been able to compete at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, despite the return of the team's Talladega chassis and engines by Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Racing Engines late last week. There is no word on whether today's $63 million cash infusion will allow RPM to compete for the remainder of the 2010 season, or on how it might impact Richard Petty's attempt to secure financing for a purchase of Gillett's ownership stake.(Sirius Speedway)(10-27-2010)
UPDATE 2: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that the sale of a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort by Richard Petty Motorsports majority owner George Gillett this week apparently brought far less to the team’s financial coffers than initially believed. Gillett’s Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc., sold its stock in the companies that operate the Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort to Vail Resorts Tuesday for a reported $63 million. However, a search of public records shows that Northstar-at-Tahoe actually sold for $80 million in November of 2007 to CNL Lifestyle Properties, a real estate investment trust. CNL’s company prospectus outlines terms of the sale, and makes it clear that since late 2007, Gillett’s company has only managed the resort on their behalf, and not owned it. Industry sources say those management rights likely sold for far less than the claimed $64 million. Further, they say that Gillett personally owns only 2% of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, with his wife accounting for an additional 2%. Thus, Gillett would have received very little cash from Tuesday’s sale. Richard Petty Motorsports confirmed late yesterday that it will field all four cars this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway for drivers AJ Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler, Paul Menard and Aric Almirola. Today's news raises new concerns, however, over the team's long-term viability.(Sirius Speedway)(10-28-2010)
RPM will have all four cars at Talladega: Richard Petty Motorsports will field all four of its cars at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, a team spokesman confirmed Wednesday afternoon. The team's presence at the Amp Energy Juice 500 this weekend was in question as employees were told last week that their jobs weren't guaranteed through the end of the year and that last week's race at Martinsville might be their last. Team co-owner Richard Petty, whom the SportsBusiness Journal said owns just 4 percent of the team, is working to take over control of the organization from George Gillett, according to sources familiar with the situation. Gillett, who had taken a $90 million loan to purchase the team from Ray Evernham in 2007 and then merged the organization with Petty Enterprises and Yates Racing in the last two years, has a majority ownership in the organization. Ray Evernham and Boston Ventures also have a minority interest.(Sporting News)(10-27-2010)
RPM to Toyota? Could there be a Toyota in the King’s court? Multiple sources have confirmed to FOXSports.com that Richard Petty met with principals from Toyota and Michael Waltrip Racing at Martinsville on Sunday and the meetings continued through Monday in Charlotte. In the past week, Petty has scrambled to salvage what is left of his brand and the #43. This latest development, however, doesn’t appear to involve Petty’s current partner George Gillett, the majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. Currently, RPM fields four Fords in the Sprint Cup Series. [George] Gillett is named as the owner of record on the #s 9, 19 and 98. Petty’s name is on the #43. The only sponsor signed for RPM in 2011 is Stanley Tools, a deal rumored to be worth $10 million and expected to be aligned with driver Marcos Ambrose. Gillett and Petty turned to Toyota once before in the summer of 2009, but the automaker could not match the eight-figure financial support that RPM had previously received as a factory-backed Dodge organization. RPM began the transition to Ford with select races at the end of the 2009 season.(Fox Sports)(10-27-2010)
The King says he is staying in the sport; could buy the team? Richard Petty doesn't plan to let financial woes run him out of the Sprint Cup series. "I've been here since 1949 and I'm going to be here till they run me off," the minority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports said on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Petty would not comment on whether he is attempting to put together investors to purchase majority interest from George Gillett, whose legal dispute over the sale of the Liverpool soccer team has impacted the finances of the racing organization to the point there was concern it wouldn't be able to compete past this weekend.
But Roush Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush, whose organization leases cars and engines to RPM, told ESPN.com that Petty was attempting to purchase controlling interest of the team. "I haven't got anything to tell you except speculation on somebody else's part and my part and that ain't going to get anybody anywhere," Petty said from the back of the #9 hauler. "When we do get all of it together we'll get it together.''(ESPN)(10-24-2010)
Loomis discusses RPM's plans: Richard Petty Motorsports is looking forward to finishing this season strong and already is making plans for 2011. Robbie Loomis, the director of competition for RPM, answered questions at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday amid speculation that the organization is facing an uncertain future. The team and driver Kasey Kahne parted ways earlier this week, and Loomis said he thinks the sudden departure of the driver has fueled talk about the team's stability.
"Like I said before, there's been a lot of speculation about a lot of things," Loomis said before practice while behind the team's #43 hauler. "There always has been in this sport, but what gives me confidence is that we've always had the ability to move forward."
Loomis says the team will be at Talladega next weekend, but he did not say who will be driving the car. Aric Almirola is taking Kahne's place in the #9 Ford this weekend. "Most of the things we've been working on has been our models for 2011 and what our race teams look like moving forward," he said. The team is planning to field two cars in 2011, with A.J. Allmendinger staying in the #43 and Marcos Ambrose driving the other car [supposedly the #9].
RPM is co-owned by George Gillett Jr. and seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty. Questions about the team's financial health have followed it for almost two years and Gillett was recently ousted as a co-owner of Premier League soccer club Liverpool.
Loomis said Gillett still owns RPM, and declined to comment on speculation that Petty is trying to round up investors that would allow him more control of the organization. "There are a lot of people working collectively together to make this thing more successful as we go forward in the future," he said. Loomis said Petty might make it to the track Sunday, but that he's been spending most of his time with his ailing wife, Lynda.(Associated Press)(10-23-2010)
Kenny Francis comments on Kahne & RPM: Richard Petty Motorsports and a dispute with Roush Fenway Racing. Roush provides cars and technical support to RPM. Needless to say, there have been _ and remain _ many questions about Richard Petty Motorsports moving forward. Kenny Francis talked for a few minutes [to Dustin Long of the Virginian Pilot] before inspection Friday about some of the issues. Here's what he had to say:
Q) How does the team regroup after all that has happened this week?
FRANCIS: "There's been a little uncertainty of the week, but we're still looking forward to running here. We've got Aric (Almirola). He's done real good here and he's a real good guy and I like him a lot. I've known his familiy a long time so that's encouraging to be able to work with him.
Q) With all that is happening, do you look at your situation as week to week even with the fact you will join Kasey Kahne at Red Bull after this season to be his crew chief there
FRANCIS: "My obligation is to the end of the year and I intend to meet that if that's what they want to do and that's what Max (Jones), Robbie (Loomis) and Richard (Petty) all of them want to do, that's fine with me. I want to support this team and try to do the best we can. We're disappointed that we didn't do as good as we could with Kasey. We had issues here and there. Hopefully, we can run good the last few races here and finish it out on a strong note. I don't know what the plans are for Aric beyond this weekend, but I sure enjoy working with him.'
Q) How much of a challenge has this year been. Start of the year the team was slow to get cars from Roush as they were building them and now the issue of working with Roush
FRANCIS: "It's been a challenge all year, but the good thing is about two-thirds of the way through the year we really started to make progress on the cars and the cars are getting a lot nicer and a lot better and this is probably the nicest car we've had all year. It's been a little bit of a challenge getting stuff going but overall it got going OK. Hopefully, it will work out for everyone in the end.''
Q) There was talk that some of the 9 crew guys moving to Red Bull for next year would no longer be with the team this week
FRANCIS: "All that is pure spectulation. There is not anyone that has got anything figured out as far as I know.''
Q) Everybody here at Martinsville with your team was with the team last week at Charlotte, correct?
FRANCIS: Yes sir.
Q) Are you fine with finishing the year at RPM?
FRANCIS: My obligation is to the end of the year and if that's what they want me to do, that's what I'll do. That's the right thing to do. I want to help these guys out as much as I can. I've been part of this company for a long time (he's been Kasey's crew chief since 2005 and was with team before that). I want it to keep doing the best it can. They've got good cars and good stuff, and I want to support Richard and everything that he's done for us. I intend to do what I can if that's what they want me to do.''
Q) Do you have confidence that you guys will stay in business through the rest of the year?
FRANCIS: I can't speculate on that. I don't know what they've got going on. I know the attitude got a lot better as the uncertainty kind of went away yesterday. I thought there were some good signs. I don't know what's going on. Honestly, I don't have a clue. Hopefully all the good signs I was seeing were good.''
Q) Good signs? Such as the cars being back in the shop and the attitude
FRANCIS: "Just the general attitude of everyone kind of raising up a notch. That's the biggest thing I think.''
(Virginian Pilot)(10-22-2010)
Ironic - #9 & #83 haulers next to each other: as SPEED opened Friday's NASCAR TV coverage, it showed the #9 Richard Petty Motorpsorts and #83 Red Bull Racing team haulers parked next to each other and the #83 is parked next to the #19 RPM team in the garage at Martinsville. Kahne was shown talking to a crewman at RPM, with Kahne in his Red Bull Racing driver suit.(10-22-2010)
RPM owes millions UPDATE none to Kahne: More details are being revealed concerning the current financial situation at Richard Petty Motorsports, including approximately $12 million owed to the team's chassis and engine suppliers and former driver Kasey Kahne. Speaking on the condition on anonymity, a source with knowledge of the situation told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that RPM had fallen $9-10 million behind in its payments to Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Racing Engines for race cars, engines and rear gear assemblies. That debt prompted Roush to repossess the team’s Talladega cars, engines and gears earlier this week, but the cars were returned to RPM late Thursday morning after a partial payment was made. The engines reportedly remain in the possession of Roush Yates Racing Engines, awaiting an additional payment.
The same source revealed that Kahne is owed between $1 million and $1.25 million by RPM, and that those past-due paychecks played a major role in his criticism of the team following last Saturday night’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As of mid-afternoon Thursday, Kahne had not received a signed copy of his release from RPM, potentially compromising his ability to compete for Red Bull Racing this weekend at Martinsville. However, legal experts tell Sirius Speedway that Wednesday's press release from RPM announcing Kahne’s release was legally binding, and will allow Kahne to drive for Red Bull this weekend without violating his contract with RPM. A second source within Richard Petty Motorsports confirmed that a series of high-level meetings were held throughout the day Thursday in an attempt to ensure that the team will be able to compete past next weekend's race at Talldega Superspeedway.(Sirius Speedway)(10-22-2010)
UPDATE - Kahne is paid: Kahne said RPM has met all its financial responsibilities to him, dismissing rumors that the decision to split early made sense for both sides. Red Bull Racing will pay Kahne's salary the rest of the season. Kahne said talks about a split began on Monday, two days after the brakes failed on his car for the second time in three races (and third time this season), leaving the driver frustrated. Kahne defended his decision not to return to the race after repairs were made, saying he was sick and unable to continue. He was offended that an RPM official questioned his commitment, saying he needed to do his part to help the team. "Anybody that questions my commitment doesn't know me very well,'' Kahne said. "I don't know if there is anybody out there that puts as much into it as I do throughout the week. I was sick to my stomach and it was time for me to call it a day. I'm happy I did it and ready to get on with this weekend.'' Kahne said the decision to split was not based on speculation that financial difficulties concerning RPM. He said he wished the team well the rest of the season. Kahne said he has agreed to maintain his commitments to sponsor Budweiser for the remainder of the season, including all meet and greets. He added this was not the way he wanted to end his relationship with Budweiser or RPM, but reiterated it was best for all parties.(ESPN)(10-22-2010)
RPM may not run past Martinsville UPDATE 3: The house of cards is finally falling for George Gillett's Richard Petty Motorsports. The assembly line from Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates engines has stopped running to RPM. Engines have been picked up, cars have been repossessed, and sources on both sides -- RPM and RFR -- say no cars will be delivered beyond Martinsville this weekend. On Thursday morning, crewmen at RPM were told they may not have jobs after the race at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Neither Petty team CEO Foster Gillett nor team Vice President Robbie Loomis could be reached for comment. RPM currently fields four cars in the Sprint Cup Series -- the #9, #19, #43 and #98. Kasey Kahne was released from his contract as of Wednesday night and is expected to drive for Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the year and in 2011. Elliott Sadler is expected to drive for Kevin Harvick Inc. next year. Paul Menard signed a multi-year deal to drive for Richard Childress Racing starting next year. His current crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe will continue his duties at RCR [supposedly Labbe will stay at RPM thru 2011....if they still exist]. AJ Allmendinger re-signed a multiyear deal to drive the #43 Ford this summer. Allmendinger is currently 20th in the point standings. Marcos Ambrose was signed to drive the #19 [actually the #9 car, not the #19] Ford in August. Ambrose currently drives for JTG/Daugherty Racing and is 26th in the point standings.(Fox Sports)(10-21-2010)
UPDATE: The story has now been updated to include: "Sources tell FOXSports.com that the Talladega cars were returned after 11:00 am/et Thursday, but they do not have engines or gears yet."(10-21-2010)
UPDATE 2: Multiple sources confirmed to SPEED.com on Thursday that Roush Fenway Racing, which builds RPM's cars, briefly repossessed RPM's Talladega cars and engines because of non-payment. Roush Fenway Racing allowed RPM to take the cars back Thursday morning, sources told SPEED.com. Additionally, sources said that one of the reasons Kahne was released from the team is that RPM owed him a substantial amount of back salary. A team spokesperson contacted Thursday afternoon declined to say whether or not Kahne was owed money, Roush Fenway Racing was owed money, when team owner George Gillett would publicly discuss his team's situation or what RPM's plans were beyond this weekend. "There's just nothing much to comment on right now," said Tiffany Breaux of Richard Petty Motorsports.(SPEED)(10-21-2010)
UPDATE 3: Sources tell Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that a number of Richard Petty Motorsports employees who had planned to join Kasey Kahne at Red Bull Racing next year were told my management today that their services are no longer required, effective immediately.(10-21-2010)
Kahne released from RPM ride UPDATE 2 to #83 for rest of year: Kasey Kahne was released from Richard Petty Motorsports on Wednesday night, clearing the way for him to join Red Bull Racing for the final five races of the season. RPM announced Kahne was out of the #9 Ford effective immediately, and Aric Almirola would drive the car this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Almirola had been on NASCAR's entry list to drive the #83 Toyota for Red Bull. But the plans apparently were scrapped after Kahne's blowup Saturday night when his brakes failed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kahne exploded in anger on the radio when his brakes failed for the third time this season, second time in two races. It led to a wreck with Sam Hornish Jr., and Kahne refused to get back in the car after it was repaired. He cited illness for not going back on the track, and the team used J.J. Yeley to finish the race.(Associated Press)(10-20-2010)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne will drive the #83 at Red Bull Racing for the final five races after being released by Richard Petty Motorsports on Wednesday night, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. Aric Almirola will replace Kahne in the #9 Budweiser Ford at RPM at Martinsville. No plans were announced for the remaining four races, but a source said Kahne's release could pave the way for #47 JTG Daugherty's Marcos Ambrose to move into the car that he will drive full-time next season. That would open the door for #09/71-Bobby Labonte to replace Ambrose in the #47 Toyota he will drive next season. Sources said there were talks before Kahne's release about moving Ambrose into the #9 and Labonte into the #47, but Kahne's sponsorship obligation with Budweiser was a holdup. Kahne announced earlier in the year he will drive for Red Bull Racing in 2011 before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. Crew chief Kenny Francis, who will move with Kahne to Red Bull next season, told ESPN.com he will be with Almirola this weekend and he expects to remain with the team through the end of the season. "If they want me I will be there,"Francis said. Francis would not elaborate on why Kahne was released, saying it had been in the works all day (ESPN.com)(10-21-2010)
UPDATE 2: Kasey Kahne's year-plus stay in a Red Bull Toyota starts early and he'll begin driving the #83 this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Kahne was released from Richard Petty Motorsports on Wednesday night, paving the way for the 30-year-old to drive the #83 in the final five races beginning with Sunday's Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Kahne will drive a Red Bull Toyota full-time in 2011 before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. "With our agreement only being for one year, there is a great sense of urgency to get started on 2011," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team's vice president and general manager. "With Kasey coming earlier than planned, we are excited to have a five-race head start."(Red Bull)(10-21-2010)
Kasey Kahne can’t wait for the season to end: #9-Kasey Kahne said he felt ill Saturday night, which is why he did not finish the race at Charlotte. Kahne and Richard Petty Motorsports hit yet another rough spot Saturday night when, after his brakes failed, Kahne said he was too ill to continue the race in his damaged Ford. J.J. Yeley completed the race in Kahne’s car.
Kahne ran a 5k for his charity Sunday morning in downtown Charlotte, finishing that race and smiling after, saying that his stomach was still upset. He said he threw up once Saturday night and didn’t feel the need to put forth the effort to get back in a car that didn’t meet his standards. Kahne said it was the third time this season his brakes had failed, and second time in three races. He admitted to melting down on the radio, which led many to speculate he refused to get back in the car after his crew made repairs.
“I lost it. I was just mad. I came into the race thinking we had a shot to win, thinking we had a good car in practice, we had a good shot,” he said. “It went green. We were a little bit tight, but still actually passed cars and really felt good, and then boom, my brakes are gone. It’s not like you have half-brakes, like you can pump them. Your foot goes to the floor. It bottoms out. It’s a joke.”(Yahoo Sports)(10-18-2010)
RPM owner Gillett, fighting takeover of soccer club: Richard Petty Motorsports majority owner George Gillett has fired the Board of Directors of his Liverpool soccer club in an attempt to derail a takeover of the club by New England Sports Ventures, owners of the Boston Red Sox. The board was scheduled to meet yesterday to consider bids from two potential buyers, but Gillett and co-owner Tom Hicks filed an injunction claiming the board was not acting in their best interest by entertaining those offers. The injunction sought to replace board chairman Martin Broughton and directors Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre with Hicks’ son, Mack Hicks, and Lori Kay McCutcheon, giving Gillett and Tom Hicks majority control of the club. New England Sports Ventures is controlled by John W. Henry [part owner of Roush Fenway Racing] and a group of partners that includes the New York Times Company and television producer Tom Werner. They purchased the Red Sox in 2002 and a subsidiary of NESV – Fenway Sports Group -- purchased a 50% ownership stake in what is now Roush Fenway Racing in February of 2007. How the sale will impact RPM, which recently restructured a $90 million loan agreement, is not immediately clear.(in part from Sirius Speedway see other articles if interested at scenedaily.com and guardian.co.uk)(10-6-2010)
RPM not ruling out 3rd team next year: It’s a given that Richard Petty Motorsports will field at least two teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2011, but team officials said this past weekend that it’s possible that the organization could field a third team as well. RPM currently fields four Cup teams for drivers #43-AJ Allmendinger, #9-Kasey Kahne, #98-Paul Menard and #19-Elliott Sadler. Kahne is scheduled to drive for Red Bull Racing next season while Menard is slated to join Richard Childress Racing; Sadler has said he isn’t expected to return to the organization’s #19 team. Team co-owner Richard Petty hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a third team. “We’ve talked to a lot of people about a third car, but our main deal is make sure we’ve got two really good cars, and then we try to do a third deal,” Petty said. “We’ve got until the end of the year [to make a decision]. If we’re downgrading from four teams to three teams, we’ve still got plenty of everything it would take to run that third car. It wouldn’t be like just having two, and then all of a sudden we’ve got to go out and get cars, people and trucks and all the equipment to run the third car. We can wait a pretty [long time], I think, as far as being able to get cars ready.”(Scene Daily)(9-27-2010)
NHMS & RPM give tickets to employee's of Hartford Distributor: New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Richard Petty Motorsports are teaming up to make this weekend a little brighter for the employees impacted by the Hartford Distributor tragedy, by sending 250 tickets for all employees to the Sylvania 300 and four Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers to the facility Thursday morning. One of the victims, Doug Scruton, had dreams of retiring in New Hampshire before the tragedy occurred. Scruton, 56 had worked for the company for 30 years and was months away from retirement in the White Mountains. Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway was more than willing to donate the tickets to the employees and families. "I think it is just such a positive thing to give these folks the opportunity to come out to the speedway and enjoy themselves this weekend with some exciting NASCAR racing," said Gappens. "It was just the right thing to do." The Richard Petty Motorsports haulers will make a pit stop on their way to the speedway tomorrow at 8:00 am. The employees will have the opportunity to tour and visit with the four haulers and teams.(NHMS)(9-16-2010)
Special scheme for Kahne at RIR: Kasey Kahne's #9 Budweiser Ford paint scheme will have a special addition at Richmond - the 2011 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will adorn the hood, both quarter panels and the television panel. The World Police & Fire Games will take place in New York City Aug. 26 - Sept. 5, 2011. Spread throughout the five boroughs, the city that never sleeps will be the setting for the multi-sport, Olympic-style event. As many as 20,000 full time firefighters and law enforcement personnel from 70 different countries are expected to compete in 65 sports. The event will respectfully coincide with the 10 year remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001. Kahne and the #9 team will be joined by a group of first responders from New York. While at the track they will partici-pate in a number of activities, including media interviews, the driver/crew chief meeting and pre-race ceremonies (RPM).(9-10-2010)
The King to be inducted into High School Hall of Fame MORE: been told that on Friday, August 27th, Richard Petty, the all-time winningest driver in Sprint Cup Series history, will be inducted into the Randleman High School Athletic Hall of Fame during halftime of the Tigers football game. The Randleman High School Athletic Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the colorful tradition of high school athletics in Randleman. The Hall of Fame seeks to highlight the past in order to insure a promising future for Randleman High School Athletics. Hall of Fame inductees shall receive an appropriate plaque and ring furnished by the Randleman High School Athletic department and shall be formally inducted at the first home football game. Space in the Randleman High School main lobby shall be set aside to commemorate the inductees.(8-26-2010)
MORE: Randleman High School will forever honor five names as its inaugural Hall of Fame class. “Since 1904, Randleman High School has been blessed with a rich athletic heritage. It would be a shame to let this important part of RHS die and never be remembered,” said RHS Hall of Fame committee chairman Terry Linthicum, who has been a part of the project which started early this year and will become reality Friday night. “Also, our present athletes need role models and inspirations to reach a higher standard.” Charles Gregory, Joe Brookshire, Richard Petty, Don Rich and Shelly Whitaker Barnes will be the first to enter the hall when induction ceremonies formally take place Friday night during halftime of the Tigers’ football home-opener against Central Davidson at Charles R. Gregory Stadium.
Richard Petty is arguably Randleman’s most famous alum. While not sporting such acclaimed athletic career bestowed with honors as his classmates, the three-sport athlete has maintained his steadfast commitment to his alma mater to this day. And as NASCAR’s still-reigning winningest driver since his retirement from racing in 1992, the King is still the benchmark for success, character and philanthropy in sports and life.
Earlier this year, a Hall of Fame committee was formed based on the knowledge of Randleman High School athletics, their years attending RHS — involving different decades — and dedication to the school. A member was named from each decade, beginning with the 1950s and four members were nominated.(Courier-Tribune)(8-27-2010)
Special scheme for Kahne at Atlanta: The #9 Budweiser Ford Fusion will sport a different look at Atlanta Motor Speedway when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the track next weekend. Valvoline will have its colors featured on the usually all-red Ford Racing machine. Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion and defending race winner, has made 13 starts on the 1.54-mile Hampton, Ga. track. In addition to two victories, Kahne has earned one pole, six top-five and eight top-10 finishes at Atlanta (RPM). See an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(8-26-2010)
Two cars for RPM in 2010 and: [Richard] Petty said Tuesday that the main focus at Richard Petty Motorsports will be on two cars next year. The organization is running four teams this season, but Kasey Kahne is leaving to join Red Bull Racing next year before heading off to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. Also, Paul Menard leaves after this season to join Richard Childress Racing.
Richard Petty Motorsports signed #43-AJ Allmendinger to a multi-year contract extension and added Marcos Ambrose [in the #9 Ford] to its lineup for next season. Petty said the organization could add another car "if something falls out of the sky, then naturally we're open.''(Roanoke Times), also Richard Petty says team has left it up to #9 crew chief Kenny Francis on if he returns and that they expect Best Buy back (all but contract done).(Dustin Long Twitter)(8-25-2010)
Evernham looking to buy consulting firm: Ray Evernham confirmed on Saturday that he’s submitted an offer to purchase Motorsports Management International (MMI). MMI was founded by Los Angeles-based lawyer Cary Agajanian in 1995 as a driver management and motorsports consulting firm. Today, MMI lists Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray among its clients. From the grassroots development of drivers to the evolution of professional racing, Evernham would be equipped to offer a full-service program. “It’s public knowledge that myself and a group of partners have made an offer to Cary Agajanian,” Evernham said. “With the people that I’m involved with, it would be a really exciting project. We don’t have an answer yet. Cary is still thinking about the offer. He wants to get with us — I think there’s a meeting for the first week of September. So yes, it’s something I’m pursuing. I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for the group of people that are involved. I’ve worked with that whole group before and we’ve been successful with other projects. “It’s not like I will have an office there that I’ll be at every day. My part will be some of the driver development and help with driver coaching, driver management of some of the current talent that they have.(in part from FoxSports) and see more chase stats on the Chase Stats after Bristol page.(8-25-2010)
Evernhan & Bruton to partner up: on Saturday afternoon, August 21st at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith and Ray Evernham are scheduled to hold joint press conference about a new partnership that they say is preserving and protecting the future of racing for generations to come.(8-21-2010)
UPDATE: Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., and Ray Evernham, CEO of Ray Evernham Enterprises, have partnered to launch a new dirt track racing series as part of U.S. Legend Cars International. The series will run an innovative dirt track version of the Legend Car, designed by Evernham. “The local tracks around the country are where the stars of the sport get their start, and we need to create the opportunities that inspire young racers today and hone their talents for tomorrow,” said Smith. “Grassroots racing is a passion of mine and of Ray’s, and through this partnership we can give back to our roots and support the future of grassroots racing.” The series will initially run at East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, N.C. next year, which is owned by Evernham, and expand to other top dirt tracks around the country. A special unveiling of the new car will be held on October 13, 2010, at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed by an on-track demonstration in early November.(LegendsNation)(8-21-2010)
RPM to announce some 2011 plans Tuesday UPDATE: Big announcement coming from Richard Petty Motorsports tomorrow [Tuesday, Aug 17th] about a new driver/sponsor combination for 2011 (Ford Racing Facebook), Ambrose?.(8-17-2010)
AND: Richard Petty Motorsports will make a “driver and sponsor announcement” Tuesday at 1:00pm/et, and sources say the team will announce ... that Marcos Ambrose will drive the team’s #9 Fords next season, replacing Kasey Kahne. Stanley Tools –- current sponsor of Elliott Sadler’s #19 Ford at RPM -– will reportedly sponsor Ambrose’s 2011 effort.(Sirius Speedway)(8-17-2010)
UPDATE: In preparation for the 2011 season, Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver Marcos Ambrose has signed a multiyear agreement with the organization to drive the #9 Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Long-time RPM sponsor Stanley Black & Decker will be the primary sponsor of the #9 team. "I'm very excited to join Richard Petty Motorsports," said Ambrose. "It's an incredible honor to be able to race for a legend like The King and be a part of this organization. I'm also happy to be back with Ford Racing. The #9 team has been a very successful team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. With the support of Ford and everyone at RPM, I believe we can continue that tradition of success. I'm also excited to join forces with Stanley."(RPM), no word on how many years or races per season the deals are for.(8-17-2010)
Budweiser to sponsor RCR / Harvick UPDATE 4 images posted: Sources tell [ESPN's Marty Smith] Kevin Harvick will have a split sponsorship on the #29 in 2011, and Budweiser will be on the car in the majority of points races, as well as the two exhibition events. There are still some hurdles to jump to get the Bud deal done. RCR had no comment when [Marty] asked them about it. Budweiser, either. Budweiser and Harvick are a good match. His edgy personality fits the brand well. He meshes with the no-nonsense good ol' boy, red label demographic. I'm told Harvick did himself a huge favor with the way he conducted himself in Victory Lane at the Shootout in February -- beer in hand while saying and doing the right things in front of the company's new management.(ESPN.com)(8-7-2010)
UPDATE: Officials with Anheuser-Busch and Richard Childress Racing are close to finalizing a sponsorship package that would put the popular Budweiser beer brand on the team's #29 Chevy with driver Kevin Harvick beginning in 2011, sources said. An announcement is expected to come within the next week. Budweiser currently sponsors the # 9 Ford of Richard Petty Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne. Kahne will drive for Red Bull Racing in 2011 and is slated to move to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, where he will replace veteran Mark Martin in Hendrick's # 5 Chevy. Budweiser, which has a long history in NASCAR, is not expected to remain at RPM. "Budweiser has decided to go in another direction with regard to its driver/team sponsorship and will announce those plans in the very near future," Mark Wright, Vice President, Media, Sports & Entertainment Marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., said in a statement provided by the company. "We enjoyed our three-year relationship with Kasey Kahne and wish him all the best in the future."(Scene Daily)(8-12-2010)
UPDATE2: Richard Childress Racing has called a press conference for Tuesday morning at team headquarters for a "major announcement regarding 2011 season and beyond".(8-15-2010)
UPDATE3: Budweiser will sponsor the #29 Richard Childress Racing Chevy that Kevin Harvick drives, a three-year deal [2011-2013] and be the primary sponsor for the majority of Sprint Cup races each season (RCR/Bud Video Press Conference).
UPDATE4: Budweiser announced Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick will become the next star to take the wheel of the iconic Budweiser car when the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season begins in February. "Budweiser's involvement in NASCAR dates back more than three decades, and we're excited to have as successful a driver as Kevin Harvick to usher in a new era for Budweiser," said Mark Wright, vice president of media, sports & entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. "Kevin also benefits from having the support of a highly respected owner in Richard Childress and the great people of Richard Childress Racing, who will help put the #29 Budweiser Chevy in a position to challenge for Sprint Cup championships."
Under the terms of the [3-year] deal, Budweiser will serve as primary sponsor of the #29 Chevy for 20 points races, two non-points races during Speedweeks [Bud Shootout & Gatorade Duel] and co-primary sponsor of the Sprint All-Star Race. Budweiser will remain an associate sponsor for the remaining races on the schedule. Harvick is the two-time and defending champion of the Budweiser Shootout (2009-2010).(RCR)(8-17-2010), see images of the car on my 2011 #29 Team Schemes page.(8-17-2010)
Hendrick says Red Bull made most sense for Kahne: The owner of Hendrick Motorsports says he had four legitimate options for Kasey Kahne in 2011, but Red Bull Racing made the most sense because sponsorship wasn't an issue. "Three of them wanted to start a new team and two of them had plans beyond to keep going,'' Rick Hendrick said before Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. "A couple wanted me to make sure I could help them with the sponsors because the sponsor was going to have to stay. Well, I couldn't control that. The more I thought about it, [Red Bull is] a top-flight team with a sponsor that is OK with a one-year deal. The sponsorship saying they are going to be with the guy for a year is a plus.''(ESPN.com)(8-16-2010)
Toyota ok with having Kahne for only one year: [Some people] claim it's impossible for a future Hendrick/GM driver to run under a different manufacturer. But consider Hendrick isn't exactly a full-time Chevy guy, either. He has a handful of Toyota dealerships, just like he sells Dodges and BMWs, too. "Rick Hendrick is a friend to our company," said Toyota President Lee White, who immediately pointed out those connections and reconfirmed his company's commitment to Red Bull through 2012. So there was no need for Hendrick to even jump over the Toyota hurdle, as White didn't know of any potential signing until the weekend of Watkins Glen. Some might wonder how Toyota ends up a winner despite only having Kahne for one year. But in talking to White, he emphasized how growing organizations like Red Bull need to have drivers with the veteran experience to win races. "With this economy, you don't own people," he said, stressing the fact one year could lead to long-term benefits for Red Bull. "All we care about is a driver's potential to win races." That's why White gave Red Bull his blessing, stressing the ability for a team to make its own decisions. And with a Red Bull/Toyota commitment that lasts through 2012, he hopes for long-term improvement while looking forward to milking the Kahne connection for all its worth. "I can't wait to see the sponsifier commercial for Kahne," he joked about the popular award-winning campaign for the manufacturer.(Sports Illustrated), and Kahne is driving for two different manufacturers this season: Fords is Cup for Richard Petty Motorsports and Toyotas in Nationwide for Braun Racing.(8-11-2010)
Kahne to Red Bull in 2011? UPDATES: Red Bull Racing has emerged as the likely place for Kasey Kahne in the 2011 Sprint Cup season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned. Under a proposed arrangement, Kahne would drive one of Red Bull Racing's Toyota's next season as he waits to take over Hendrick's #5 Chevy in 2012, sources close to the situation confirmed Sunday. Mark Martin, as he has maintained since news of Kahne's signing by Hendrick became public in April, would drive the #5 next season, his last with Hendrick. Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing's general manager, would neither confirm nor deny his organization has been in discussions with Hendrick Motorsports to have Kahne drive a Red Bull car next season. Sources maintained that the deal to put Kahne at Red Bill has not been completed, but insisted that it is the most viable option for the 30-year-old driver from Enumclaw, Wash. An HMS spokesman declined to comment on the Kahne-to-Red Bill scenario after Sunday's race. Kahne's agent did not respond to a request for comment.(Charlotte Observer)(8-9-2010)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has completed a deal to put Kasey Kahne in a Red Bull Racing Toyota in 2011, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. An announcement could come as early as Tuesday. Which Red Bull car Kahne will drive is still to be determined. Neither of Red Bull's current drivers are guaranteed to drive for the team in 2011. Team general manager Jay Frye has said a decision should be announced on Scott Speed's status by the end of August. Brian Vickers, who has been sidelined since May for the treatment for blood clots, won't know until November if the treatments worked well enough for him to return next season, although the team is optimistic. Hendrick had originally said that he expected to be able to place Kahne in a Chevy for 2011, but it appears it will be a Toyota, which signed a contract extension with Red Bull last year.(Scene Daily)(8-9-2010)
UDPATE 2 Kasey Kahne will drive a Red Bull Racing Team Toyota in 2011, the team announced. “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to hire a very talented driver for the 2011 season and we took it,” said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. “This is a unique situation that doesn’t happen every day. Kasey is a perfect fit for our company, team and Red Bull.” “This opportunity places me with an established, competitive team that has proven they can win races and make the Chase,” Kahne said. “I have great respect for Red Bull, so to have the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing Team in 2011 is a great fit for me, both personally and professionally. It feels good to be able to finally put this to rest and focus my energy on finishing the season strong for the 9 team and our sponsors.” “This obviously all happened very quickly,” Frye added. “Over the next month, we will finalize the specific team details.”(Red Bull Racing PR)(8-10-2010)
UPDATE 3: Statement from Rick Hendrick: "Kasey is going to a competitive organization that made the Chase last season and has great leadership and resources," said Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Of everything we looked at, he and I agree it's the best opportunity for him to be successful in 2011, which was always our number-one priority. The process went on longer than any of us anticipated, but I'm glad that we took our time to make sure it was right. And although I'm not looking forward to racing against him next year, I'm comfortable knowing this is the best situation for Kasey." As announced in April, veteran Mark Martin will continue to drive Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Chevys in 2011. "We're looking forward to another year with Mark Martin, one of the true class acts in racing, driving for Hendrick Motorsports," Hendrick said. "There aren't many things in this world I'd rather do than win a championship with him, and that will be our goal with the #5 team for the rest of this year and in 2011."(Hendrick PR)(8-10-2010)
Ambrose to the #9?: UPDATE: Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Marcos Ambrose will replace Kasey Kahne in the #9 Ford at Richard Petty Motorsports next season. Ambrose said he has no “Plan B” in place for 2011 and could even return to his native Australia if another Sprint Cup opportunity does not surface. Highly placed sources tell Sirius Speedway that a deal with RPM is “95% done,” though there is no definitive word on who might sponsor the effort. Ford Racing Marketing Manager Tim Duerr declined to comment specifically on the report today, but said the automaker has longstanding ties with Ambrose. “Marcos started with Ford and Ford brought him to NASCAR,” said Duerr. “He bleeds Ford blue, and we would love to see him back in a Ford next season. I don’t think that Marcos has a signed Sprint Cup ride for next season at present. It all depends on him, a sponsor and a team putting something together, but I am optimistic that we will see Marcos back in a Ford next season.” A spokesman for Richard Petty Motorsports declined to comment today, calling the report “speculation.”(Sirius Speedway)(7-28-2010)
Amrose & JTG Daugherty to split: After five successful years together in NASCAR’s top touring divisions, JTG Daugherty Racing and Marcos Ambrose will part ways at the end of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. “JTG Daugherty Racing and our sponsors are obviously huge Marcos Ambrose fans and we are disappointed to see him leave after five great years of building a program together from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, to the Nationwide Series, and into the Sprint Cup Series,” said Tad Geschickter, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing along with Brad Daugherty and Jodi Geschickter. “Marcos is a friend and he is a great talent. He will be an asset to his next team. While we hate to see him move on at the end of the season, we will remain focused on winning races with Marcos. We are excited about our company's development. We have NASCAR’s greatest and most loyal sponsors, a growing fan base, and a steadily improving race team.”
“We have enjoyed working with Marcos and getting to know his family and friends from both the United States and Australia,” Jodi Geschickter added. “They have brought a lively dimension to our racing family and we have appreciated the opportunity to get to know them. Although we will miss Marcos, we have an amazing team at JTG Daugherty Racing and we look forward to announcing our plans for 2011.” Daugherty echoes the Geschickter’s sentiments and wishes Ambrose much success in his future endeavors.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to work with Marcos for the last five years and it has been an enjoyable experience,” Daugherty said. “We wish him the utmost success and best wishes. JTG Daugherty Racing has a bright future and we already have great plans in place for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
The two-time V8 Supercar champion’s first appearance with JTG Daugherty Racing was at Martinsville Speedway in 2006 when he made his NASCAR debut in the Camping World Truck Series. Ambrose naturally progressed the next year to the NASCAR Nationwide Series spending two years in the division before competing full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the racing organization.
“It has been a great five year journey for me and JTG Daugherty Racing,” Ambrose said. “I am proud of being their driver and of what we have been able to accomplish together. I want to personally thank Tad, Jodi and Brad and the entire race team for everything they have done. Our plan is to complete the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with the same desire and commitment and end our relationship the same way it started with a positive attitude and the willingness to win. I will do everything I can to help JTG Daugherty transition into next year with their new driver. After five years, I personally felt it was time for a change. I have no firm plans of what will come next for me and my career. I would like to continue in NASCAR and finish off what I started, but I have not discounted returning to Australia. I’m grateful to JTG Daugherty Racing for giving me an opportunity to become a NASCAR driver and I wish them the best in the future.” The Launceston, Tasmania Australia native has recorded four top-five and nine top-10 finishes with JTG Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and has also delivered two Nationwide Series victories. His career-best Cup finish is a second-place finish at Watkins Glen International last season. Currently Ambrose has two top-10 finishes and is 27th in the driver points standings after 20 starts this season. JTG Daugherty Racing will make an announcement in the near future regarding their driver for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.(JTG Daugherty Racing)
AND Ambrose did not say where he will drive next season, but he's believed to be close to finalizing a deal with Richard Petty Motorsports.(ESPN/AP)(7-27-2010)
Martin feels disrespected by 2011 speculation: UPDATE: #5-Mark Martin says he feels "disrespected" because of speculation that Kasey Kahne will drive the #5 at Hendrick Motorsports in 2011. The 51-year-old driver insisted on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that team owner Rick Hendrick and crew chief Alan Gustafson fully support him staying in the car through the end of his contract. "I understand it'll all come to a rest whenever they announce what Kasey is going to do [in 2011]," Martin said. "You should be focusing on that. What is Kasey going to do? Because I've told you what I'm going to do." Martin once again was faced with questions about him fulfilling the final year of his contract in the 5 car after ESPN analyst Ray Evernham said he expected Martin to announce over the next three to four weeks that he will step aside for Kahne. "I made myself perfectly clear over the last several weeks," Martin said. "There is no information or any change."(ESPN.com)(7-23-2010)
UPDATE: Rick Hendrick says he's prepared to honor Mark Martin's deal to drive the #5 Sprint Cup car next season but he wouldn't close the door on Kasey Kahne stepping into that seat. "If I tell you what I will do and what I won't do and if I do something different because I haven't thought about it, then you'll think I lied to you,'' the owner of Hendrick Motorsports said before Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I'm keeping all options open whether it's with Chevy or something else. I'm trying to make everybody happy, all our sponsors, NASCAR. Martin insists he will be in the #5 in 2011 despite speculation that he will step aside for Kahne. Three months ago, Kahne signed to drive the car in 2012, with the promise Hendrick would get him a ride for 2011. Asked whether there was any way Mark wouldn't be in the No. 5 next year, Hendrick said: "I can't tell you that. Right now it's his seat and it's his call.'' Hendrick said finding a solution for his situation has been tougher than he expected trying to mesh sponsors, manufacturers and drivers to make everyone happy. He understands Martin's frustration.(ESPN.com)(7-26-2010)
Silly Season kicking in gear at IMS:
• All signs point to Richard Childress Racing announcing the week of the Watkins Glen Race next month that Budweiser will be on #29-Kevin Harvick's car. Mobile 1 had been courting #24-Jeff Gordon, but HMS ended that by reupping with Quaker State. Don't be surprised to see that sponsor pop up at Stewart-Haas.
• Richard Petty Motorsports' future seemingly hangs on what #43-AJ Allmendinger does. If he and sponsor Best Buy stay, then #98-Paul Menard and his sponsor may hang around, as well. But Allmendinger has talked to several teams, including Penske Racing. Menard is beating the bushes as well, with speculation he'll be in the fourth car at Richard Childress Racing. All we know for sure is Stanley is the only sponsor contractually committed to the organization beyond this season. Odds are RPM will shrink from four teams to three, two or none. The last would be a huge blow to the garage and increase the possibility of fields of fewer than 43 cars next season. It also could end Richard Petty's presence in the garage, which would be sad to see.(ESPN.com)(7-25-2010)
See the full transcript of Kasey Kahne and Rick Hendrick discussing Hendrick Motorsports signing Kahne to drive for them in 2011 and/or 2012 on my Kahne - Hendrick transcript page
Kahne to Drive for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Pocono: Kasey Kahne, who is undefeated in two career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, will pilot the #18 Toyota of Scranton (Pa.) Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) in the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 Truck Series event July 31 at Pocono Raceway. Kahne, who drives the #9 Budweiser Ford full-time for Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, won Truck Series races in November 2004 at Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. “It’s a big deal for us to have someone like Kasey in the #18 Toyota Tundra,” said KBM driver-owner Kyle Busch. “His Truck Series record is about as good as it can get, given that he’s never lost a race. He’s obviously got a good record at Pocono in the Sprint Cup Series as well, so we know he’ll give us a great chance to go to victory lane.” The Pocono Mountains 125 is the first-ever Truck Series event at Pocono Raceway, which is located 38 miles south of Toyota of Scranton. Busch is hoping to win as an owner and a driver all in the same day, for while Kahne will drive the #18 Toyota of Scranton Toyota Tundra for KBM at Pocono, Busch will pilot the #18 Z-Line Designs Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway in Newton.(KBM)(7-16-2010)
Martin to Red Bull in 2011? UPDATE2 denied: on the Sirius NASCAR Radio Facebook page, it is reported: "Randy Pemberton says that Mark Martin will move over to Red Bull Racing next year and Kasey will come to Hendrick and race the #5 car next season." Doesn't say which Red Bull car the #82 Scott Speed drivers, the #83 that Brian Vickers is supposed to return to in 2011 or a third Red Bull Racing team.(7-7-2010)
UPDATE: Martin's Business Manager, Benny Ertel, called the reports "aggravating," saying his driver has grown tired of answering the same questions, week after week. "It's the same thing, over and over again," he said. "We walk into the media center and someone immediately raises their hand and asks about where Mark will be racing next season. Mark has answered the question a thousand times and it's always the same answer. `I will be driving the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports next season.' That's as simple as it is, but some reporters just don't listen."
"Randy Pemberton went on Sirius NASCAR Radio the other day and said Mark will be driving for Red Bull next season," said Ertel. "There's not a shred of truth to that statement, and he never bothered to ask Mark, Rick Hendrick or anyone else about it. If he had asked, he would have been told -- in no uncertain terms -- that it was a load of hooey. I don't know what's so difficult to understand, Mark Martin will drive the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports next season. Period."(Sirius Speedway)(7-8-2010)
UPDATE 2: Red Bull Racing VP/GM Jay Frye told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Friday that there is no truth to reports that Mark Martin will drive for the team next season. "It's flattering to be associated with a guy like Mark Martin," said Frye. "He's a great racer, and any team would love to have him. But he has a contract with Hendrick Motorsports for 2011, and that means he cannot drive for us, or anyone else. I've heard the reports, and there is absolutely nothing to them."(7-9-2010)
Could Kahne stay in a Ford for 2011?: And after qualifying at Infineon Raceway, Robbie Loomis, team manager for #9-Kasey Kahne, raised the intriguing idea that Kahne might stick around with his team for one more season – "Wouldn't that really be nice? And it sure would help us out." Whether Loomis was just raising an idea or whether there might be more to the issue was not clear. Kahne has signed a contract with Chevy rival Rick Hendrick beginning with the 2011 season; however Hendrick and Kahne have given no indication of what their game plan for 2011 might actually be. There is speculation that Hendrick might 'farm' Kahne out to team owner James Finch for 2011. Owners are now only allowed four Cup teams, and Hendrick already has four, before adding Kahne. But Loomis did work for Hendrick for several years, with Jeff Gordon, winning the 2001 NASCAR championship. And team owner Jack Roush, who provides engines and engineering for the Loomis-Kahne-Richard Petty-George Gillett operation, has expressed interest in how Hendrick might deal with that whole dilemma....particularly in light of NASCAR's own ruling that just forced Roush himself to cut back from five teams to four.(MikeMulhern.net)(6-18-2010)
Hendrick says many options for Kahne in 2011: Rick Hendrick says he has a lot more options for Kasey Kahne in 2011 than he expected when he first signed the Richard Petty Motorsports driver in April. The owner of Hendrick Motorsports offered no timeline for when a decision might be made, even though he originally said a deal should be in place within 90 days. "A lot of it is just waiting for the right time and the right deal," Hendrick said Friday at Infineon Raceway after being inducted into the track's Wall of Fame. "I haven't been in a hurry. We've got some good options and there are new deals coming out every day. I get unbelievable calls from people in this garage. We're just not ready to pull the trigger yet." Hendrick discounted a report that said Kahne would drive the #09 car for James Finch and Phoenix Racing next year before replacing Mark Martin in the #5 at HMS in 2012. That report also said Martin could take over part ownership of Phoenix Racing in 2012. Phoenix Racing officials said no conversations with Hendrick have taken place. "I don't know where that rumor came from," Hendrick said. Kahne said he and Hendrick spoke on Friday and that his 2011 situation wasn't part of the conversation. "I didn't even ask anything about next year and he didn't bring it up, either," Kahne said. "We were just talking about other stuff, so I would say there is no new news." Among the speculated possibilities for Kahne next year, in addition to Phoenix Racing, have been Stewart-Haas Racing and Red Bull Racing. Hendrick did say that Kahne would be in a Chevrolet, and Red Bull currently fields Toyotas. "The biggest problem with us, with me and the whole situation is I want to make the right decision for him and our company," Hendrick said. "I'm not really procrastinating as much as I'm trying to let everything unfold."(ESPN.com)(6-18-2010)
Kahne to the #09 car in 2011? UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports and James Finch are working on a partnership to put Kasey Kahne in the #09 Chevy for 2011. Multiple sources indicate the deal could be completed within the next few weeks. Hendrick will not be allowed to own the car under NASCAR's four-team rule, leaving Finch in the position of ownership, although engines and chassis would continue to come from Hendrick. Once completed, the partnership solves the HMS dilemma of where to put Kahne next season. Signed to take over the #5 Chevy in 2012, Kahne leaves RPM at the end of the year but Hendrick already has four signed drivers -- Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson -- under contract for 2011. Stewart-Haas Racing was the first option for Kahne, but sources claim sponsorship and financial constraints for that team have made such a move impossible.
Instead, the partnership with Phoenix Racing is a compromise solution. Under a one-year deal, Kahne will be installed with a single-car team that gives him the opportunity to continue running full-time. Here's the kicker: once Kahne moves to HMS, sources claim the man he's replacing, Mark Martin, may be interested in purchasing the Phoenix team for 2012 as he scales back his driving career. Spokesmen on both sides have denied a deal is in the works. According to Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex, "Our position with regard to 2011 has not changed. We continue to be open to various options, and nothing has been determined at this time." The 51-year-old Martin also remains uncommitted to his future beyond 2011."(Sports Illustrated)(6-11-2010)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne said he's still unsure where he'll drive next season, even with a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site that states he could be driving for James Finch's single-car team next season. "I've never even heard of that until just now,'' Kahne said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "There's so many teams that have talked to Mr. Hendrick about 'Could we do this? Could we try this? Could we do this?' '' Kahne said. "There's a lot of them in the garage area trying to work something out with myself.''(Roanoke Times)(6-12-2010)
UPDATE 2: There's some pretty big racing news concerning Lynn Haven's James Finch who is working on a way to run a full cup schedule next season with his Phoenix team! Finch who last April, scored his only Cup victory with Brad Kesolowski handling the wheel in Talladega, says he's talking with Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports about putting driver Kasey Kahne into the #09 Phoenix car for a fulltime Cup season in 2011. Kahne needs a seat, and if Hendrick and Kahne can help Phoenix racing attact a big time sponsor, it just might all fit together and help Finch realize his lifelong dream of running fulltime on the Cup circuit. Finchsays his Nationwide team will run about 8 more races this season, with Ryan Newman driving. Finch says that team remains up for sale, but because of the economy, and how tough it is to find sponsors, he's not getting many serious bids for that team.(wjhg.com / NASCAR Examiner)(6-15-2010)
Stewart Haas has not talked to Hendrick about 3rd team: Stewart Haas Racing competition director Bobby Hutchens said on Sunday that he has had no formal discussions with Hendrick Motorsports about adding a third team for next season to accommodate Kasey Kahne. Though such decisions are usually finalized by late summer, he’d prefer to have a decision on a new program – including driver and sponsor – by June 1 to avoid disrupting the programs of #14-Tony Stewart and #39-Ryan Newman and “not be in a panic” in building cars and purchasing equipment for 2011. Kahne has signed to drive the #5 Chevy at Hendrick, but Mark Martin, the current occupant, is contracted through the end of 2011. Hendrick is working to outsource Kahne to a Chevrolet team under the premise that his current lineup will not change before 2012. “We have not had what I call permanent discussions with Mr. Hendrick or anybody at Hendrick Motorsports to zero in on (Kahne),” Hutchens said. “Kasey Kahne was definitely a possibility back when we started looking at this thing for ourselves in the middle of last year, so we’re going to just see how all this shakes out.” Hutchens said that in the current sponsor marketplace – neither existing Stewart Haas team is fully funded for 2011, and Old Spice announced last week that it would not return after this season – a new driver would almost certainly have to bring a sponsor.(Charlotte Observer)(5-17-2010)
Kahne still has no idea about 2011 ride: #9-Kasey Kahne said Friday at Dover International Speedway that there still has been no decision made on where he will be racing in 2011. Kahne announced last month that he would leave RPM to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2011. But Kahne's move called for him to drive for team owner Rick Hendrick in 2012 in the organization’s #5 Chevy currently driven by Mark Martin. That being the case, the question remains of just where Kahne will be driving next season. With the NASCAR cap of four teams per organization, Kahne won’t be in a Hendrick entry unless someone currently driving for the team vacates a seat. One possibility would be for him to drive for a Hendrick-affiliated team, such as Stewart-Haas Racing if that team expands from two to three teams. “Still no word on any of the specifics,” Kahne said after qualifying second-fastest for Sunday’s Autism Speaks 400. “Nothing has changed since the announcement. There is a lot going on – talking to Mr. Hendrick this week and last week, I think we are about three or four weeks out from finding anything out. I know I am getting a little anxious about it. They are working hard and want it to be the right decision. Whatever is decided, they want to do [it] the right way and make sure that they come up with the perfect place for me for next year.”(SceneDaily)(5-15-2010)
Warren back in NASCAR: Dr. Eric Warren will return to the NASCAR circuit starting on Monday. Warren, who worked as an engineer with Evernham Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing before joining the fledgling U.S. Formula One effort, will handle simulation projects for Richard Petty Motorsports.(FoxSports)(5-3-2010)
What's up with Bud?: Brian Dunlap, Anheuser Busch Manger of Sports Marketing, said Friday that Budweiser hasn't even begun discussions about the future of one of the sport's most iconic sponsors. "Our focus is on Kasey Kahne and 2010," Dunlap said. "Until we have those discussions, there's really no comment on our part."(USA Today)(5-1-2010)
Budweiser talking to Hendrick: Hendrick Motorsports general manager Marshall Carlson has talked with Anheuser Busch officials about the possibility of Budweiser becoming a team sponsor after this season, team owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday. Budweiser is looking for a new partner after its contract expires with #9-Kasey Kahne and Richard Petty Motorsports after this season. Kahne, who recently signed a contract with HMS to replace Mark Martin in the #5 in 2012 and a car to be determined in 2011, has said he would like to continue his relationship with Budweiser if possible. There were reports that HMS could not bring in Budweiser because of the team's relationship with longtime sponsor Pepsi, but Hendrick said that "depends on which car it's on." "In our deals we have rights of first refusal," Hendrick said. "We've got to go through that, but we're talking to anybody." Hendrick would be willing to supply Martin with engines and chassis if Martin decides to go into ownership. Martin recently said he would consider becoming an owner if he could find a deal like the one Tony Stewart got with Gene Haas. "I'd be open to anything Mark wants to do," Hendrick said. "He talked about a long time ago about wanting to own a truck [team]. I never heard him say anything about a car until [now]."(ESPN.com)(4-25-2010)
Kahne to run military scheme in Coke 600 and Coke Zero 400: Kasey Kahne made quite a few headlines this week after announcing his ownership change for 2012. But, on Friday night, Kahne avoided any of those questions and headed down to Fort Hood to spend time with members in the U.S. Armed Forces. At the event, Kahne unveiled a new Armed Forces paint scheme for his #9 Budweiser Ford with red camouflage and a 'Budweiser Is Proud To Serve Those Who Serve' decal on the hood. It is part of Budweiser's partnership with the USO to honor the country's service men and women. Kahne will run the die-cast car during the May 30 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the July 3 race at Daytona International Speedway. TMS also took care of the Fort Hood soldiers, giving away 500 tickets for today's Samsung 500.(Dallas Morning News)
AND From the Budweiser website:as we support America's troops by donating $250,000 to the USO's Operation Enduring Care. From May 1 to June 30, when you buy this Kasey Kahne Armed Forces die-cast car, you aid in that effort. This summer, Budweiser and Kasey Kahne salute those who serve, protect and defend our country at home and abroad. Be part of the excitement as Kasey drives a special Armed Forces car in two major races, in advance of holidays that commemorate our freedom and remember those who died to protect that freedom. This 1:24 scale die-cast racecar is an exact replica of the 2010 Budweiser Armed Forces Ford Fusion Kasey will drive in races at Charlotte May 30 and Daytona July 3. It features the Budweiser "Proud to Serve Those Who Serve" logo across the hood and the USO logo on the roll bar. A portion of your purchase price of this exceptional die-cast model goes to support the USO. And, at Daytona on July 3, Kasey himself will present Budweiser's $250,000 check to the USO., see images of the scheme on the #9 Teams Schemes page.(4-19-2010)
Gillette says RPM will recover from losing Kahne: Foster Gillett, the managing partner of Richard Petty Motorsports and son of team owner George Gillett Jr., said Friday the team will recover from #9-Kasey Kahne's decision to leave RPM after this year and sign with Hendrick Motorsports. Gillett said he knows Kahne's departure, along with some financial difficulties his family is experiencing, have caused doubts about RPM's future. "Many people last year were saying the same thing," Gillett said. "You know what? We're still here. We survived and thrived and we'll do it again. When change like this happens, it opens up opportunities for others. We are focusing on the opportunities we have more than what we lose." The move leaves RPM in limbo after losing its star driver. The other three drivers for RPM -- #43-AJ Allmendinger, #98-Paul Menard and #19-Elliott Sadler -- also have contracts that expire at the end of 2010. "It's a work in progress next season for our driver lineup," Gillett said. "That's not a secret. We are working to have the best drivers we can. Richard preaches to us to focus on building the best race cars we can and we'll have sponsors and drivers."
Gillett said he hopes to keep Budweiser, which sponsors Kahne's car. "My family has a wonderful relationship with Anheuser Busch," Gillett said. "We will put out a maximum effort to keep them. If they ask me to run through this wall, I'll do it." George Gillett is in the process of restructuring a $90 million debt on a loan that's in default. The Gillett family also is trying to sell its interest in the Liverpool soccer team of the English Premier League. "It's no secret that my family is looking at all our options and doing all we can," Foster Gillett said. "The more liquidity we have, the better it is for NASCAR. This is a process we're trying to go through. We're nearing closure on that and I think good news is ahead. We've made a number of enormous changes to get better. I really believe in what we've done." Gillett had good things to say about Kahne and believes the No. 9 team will race well the rest of the season. Kahne ranks 26th in the standings, but made the Chase last year.
"We are focused more on what we can do while we have him," Gillett said. "A lot of teams would take a 30-race contract with Kasey. He's one of the best guys in the sport and we are honored to have him. I know what a gentleman Kasey is. He's a quality person and he has great ability as a race car driver. If you give him great equipment he'll go win, and I believe we have a championship-caliber team in the 9. I know Kasey will do his best to uphold all his commitments." Gillett emphasized that he and his father are committed to NASCAR for the long haul. "My family made a choice to be in NASCAR," he said. "We've learned some hard lessons and I have to take responsibility for how things have gone. We've had some hardships, but we've gone through worse."(ESPN.com)(4-17-2010)
Kahne going retro at Richmond: #9-Kasey Kahne is scheduled to run a Budweiser Retro Throw Back Special at Richmond International Raceway in May. See am image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(4-17-2010)
Kasey Kahne discusses joining Hendrick: #9-Kasey Kahne met with the media and discussed joining Hendrick Motorsports, his current crew chief, Kenny Francis, and more. the Chevy Racing transcript in part:
“It’s been a great week. To be in the position I’m in now and know where I’m gonna be in 2012, to have the opportunity with Rick Hendrick and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, to me, it’s an unbelievable opportunity. I can’t wait to get that started. Now I’m focused again on just making sure that the 9 car, our whole Budweiser Ford team, works well together and communicates well together, do everything we can the rest of this season to perform, enjoy ourselves, win races, and I still feel like we have a shot at the chase. We just need to put a big effort in, but I think we can get back in the points and definitely have a shot at the chase and run strong throughout the rest of the year.”
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT NEXT YEAR OR WAITING FOR HENDRICK TO DEAL WITH IT? “I’ll work through it with Mr. Hendrick and figure out exactly what we need to do in ’11 that makes the most sense. As far as right now, I still don’t know and I’m leaving it up to those guys. They made the commitment to me and Rick said he’ll make sure it’s right, and I took that as I think it’ll be a pretty good opportunity, a pretty good situation I’ll be in next year. In order to know I’ll be in the 5 after that, I was able to take somewhat of a risk and wait a month or two months, whatever it is, to figure out what 2011 will be, but the future will definitely be really good to be a part of that team and part of that organization.”
IS IT A CASE WHERE IT WAS JUST TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE? “I feel like we’ve had six-and-a-half years that I’ve spent with those guys and we’ve had a great run. They’ve given me a lot of opportunity and we’ve had some pretty good success. I definitely have a lot of friends there and a lot of people that I really enjoy working with there, and I’m gonna keep doing that through the rest of this year, but sometimes you just need some change and you need something different. I was fortunate enough when I came into this sport that I jumped right in with Ray Evernham. Until this year, I’d never looked at another shop. I’d never been inside another building and I never knew what was out there in any way. To be able to go around to all these other teams over the last few months and learn as much as I did about them, about the owners, about the people at each team, was pretty neat for myself. I feel like there’s definitely some really neat race teams out there and they’re gonna be tough to beat for a long time.”
HOW MUCH SAY WILL YOU HAVE IN YOUR CREW CHIEF AND HAVE YOU TALKED WITH KENNY FRANCIS ABOUT MAKING THE MOVE WITH YOU? “Kenny Francis, to me, is as good as anybody in the garage. We have a great relationship and we communicate really well. It seems like we figure things out pretty quickly, so I really like working with Kenny. As far as the future and where that all goes, I’m not sure how that will work yet. That’s another one of the things we’re not sure about, but it’ll be good. Kenny is wanted by a lot of teams. He does a great job for Richard Petty Motorsports, and hopefully I’ll work with him for a long time because I really like Kenny Francis.”
MARK MARTIN SAID HE CAME TO YOU IN SEPTEMBER AND SUGGESTED YOU WOULD BE A GOOD REPLACEMENT FOR HIM IN THE 5 CAR. DID THAT HAVE AN EFFECT ON YOU? “It did. Mark pulled me aside a few times and one time we sat in his bus for at least an hour and talked about things. He’s an unbelievable guy and an unbelievable race car driver, and to be able to sit there and talk to him and learn about something I have no idea about was nice for me. So, yeah, that was a huge part of my decision. I’ve always had that in the back of my head on what I had learned from Mark. Jimmie Johnson has been a big part of it as well. He’s always been a great guy to me and I think he’s helped me whenever I’ve had questions – not even about the whole Hendrick Motorsports thing – I’ve had questions about other things and Jimmie has always been there to help out. So I think between those two guys and then just sitting down with Mr. Hendrick and learning about the place, walking around the place, I was just really impressed and really excited to be a part of it now.”
WAS YOUR INITIAL STRATEGY TO TAKE BUDWEISER WITH YOU? “I don’t have control of that. That’s not up to me. What I did was I worried about myself, what I needed to do for my future and what I felt was the best idea for myself and what would work good for me. I have a great relationship with Budweiser, the people there, and I think the last couple years have been awesome with them, and, hopefully, we can win some more races this year which would be great. As far as the future goes, I enjoy that brand and I want to be part of that brand, so it’s completely up to them and what they want to do in the future. I haven’t talked to any of them about it.”(Chevy Racing PR)(4-16-2010)
Mark Martin plans to keep racing...into 2012: #5-Mark Martin met with media and discussed Kasey Kahne signing with HMS, his future involvement in the sport, and more, the Chevy Racing transcript in part:
ON KASEY KAHNE SIGNING WITH HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
"I'm excited, man. This is the absolute best scenario. I'm really, really excited. I'm so psyched about it and so relieved that we can go on and work on racing and not worry about Hendrick Motorsports and my team and everything else and what the future is. We know its set. It's a perfect scenario. Kasey Kahne is a really right fit for this organization."
ARE YOU STILL SET THROUGH 2011? "You know that. I don't know why you had to ask that."
WOULD YOU CONSIDER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE 2011? "If I did, I wouldn't be driving it. So, no; I'm not sure why you don't understand. It's not clear to me why you don't understand. Those guys wanted me to drive it for 2012. It was a little bit stretched to do one full-time season. I gave them three. It's been the gift of my career that Hendrick Motorsports has given me. One of my biggest concerns has been who is going to be the successor so that I didn't knock them out of getting the very best A-number-one fit. That's why I started talking to Kasey Kahne before anybody, in September of last year; because I do have some real good buddies: Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth. But since they wouldn't talk to me seriously and had to keep making jokes and cutting up, I mean, Kasey Kahne was the guy. And the timing wasn't exactly right but I wanted to make sure that he considered it because it's the perfect scenario for Kasey Kahne and it's the perfect scenario for Hendrick Motorsports. I figure three years is enough. I would appreciate it if no one would right anything about me retiring, because I'm not going to retire. I'm going to race in 2012. And so don't even talk about it. I'm racing in 2012. There will be an opportunity for me I'm sure, that will be exciting and fun and that I can help people. I feel like I've done that. I feel like I did that in the No. 01 at DEI and I feel like I've helped the No. 5 team realize that they can win races and contend for a championship. And so I'll find another opportunity that's exciting to me and I don't want to commit to that now. I want to make sure that Hendrick is set and they are set. It's such an incredibly perfect scenario."
WILL YOU BE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE #5 IN 2011? "I'm going to race in 2012."
I'M ASKING YOU IN BLACK AND WHITE, ARE YOU GOING TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE #5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET? "Of course."
IS YOUR LEGACY THEN, TO LEAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM FOR SOMEONE ELSE; THAT THAT MIGHT BE YOUR LEGACY LOOKING FORWARD? YOU CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS THAT YOU LEAVE SOME THAT YOU CAN LOOK BACK AND BE PROUD OF REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS?
"It was really, really important to me to make sure that Hendrick Motorsports had someone better than me to come in behind me. And I'm more comfortable now than I was a month ago because I didn't know what that was going to be; although I knew I was going to drive through 2011. I didn't know how that was going to work out with the timing because my choice for the guy that succeeded me here; the timing wasn't exactly right. They were going to be open in '11 and I was going to exit in '12. So, this has fixed that. I'm happy about that. I've had the time of my life and I don't understand how people want to put a negative spin on this. This is actually the most exciting thing that could ever happen to Kasey Kahne, to Mark Martin, to Hendrick Motorsports, and all of us. This is perfect. I don't know why everybody is digging for something negative."
IN YOUR MIND, WHAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL SITUATION IN 2011 FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS AND KASEY KAHNE? "That's up to them. Everything is set for '12. That's what I was worried about. Everything is set for '12. You need to talk to them about '11; I don't know.
YOU SAID YOU TALKED TO KASEY. WERE YOU A PART OF IT? "I initiated it before ever talking to Rick Hendrick because I didn't want Rick to know that I was as concerned as I was about it. So I talked to Kasey two or three times last year starting back around September and then I didn't get involved after that. And to be real honest, I didn't know the last month that it had gotten to this level. So I'm thrilled. It's so exciting."(Chevy Racing)(4-16-2010)
Stewart talks about Kahne, third team: #14-Tony Stewart met with media and discussed Kasey Kahne joining Hendrick Motorsports and other topics, the Chevy Racing transcript in part:
WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN FOR KASEY KAHNE TO JOIN STEWART-HAAS RACING FOR 2011?: “I think you guys need to talk to Kasey (Kahne) because we don’t know anything about it. I found out on Tuesday or Wednesday I guess, just like you guys all did. You guys know as much if not more than I do right now. The hard part is that I don’t have the answers to everybody’s questions because nobody has talked to me about it. It’s all a lot of speculation right now, but there’s no way I can comment on speculation and make it even make sense. I think the best thing to do is ask Kasey. Obviously, he’s got his deal done so I’m sure he kind of has a better idea of what’s going on than we do at this point.”
WOULD YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ADDING A THIRD TEAM?: “We would definitely, with the right opportunity, the focus is obviously to keep Ryan’s (Newman) car and our car going well right now, but if the right opportunity, the right team and the right sponsor, right driver came along then we would definitely be interested in a third team. We have said that all along.”
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH KASEY KAHNE?: “I think it’s a great opportunity for him. Only Kasey (Kahne) knows what he wants. That’s why you guys really need to talk to him to find out what he’s really thinking about. I think it’s a great opportunity for him. I know what I’ve learned in just a short amount of time being in the Hendrick system and getting to work with Hendrick Motorsports. I’ve always liked him, I was the one that sat with him with Ray Evernham and talked to Ray in the infield at Bristol about him years ago. I think it’s a huge opportunity for him.”(Chevy Racing)(4-16-2010)
Kahne to Hendrick in 2012 UPDATE 2 HMS PR: #9-Kasey Kahne, the hottest potential free agent in NASCAR entering the season, has signed a multiyear agreement to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2011, multiple sources close to negotiations confirmed to ESPN.com Tuesday. The details of the deal, such as which car Kahne will drive, are still being finalized, sources said. The prevailing thought is Kahne will occupy the #5 car currently driven by Mark Martin, sources said. Martin signed a contract extension last year through the 2011 season. There is room for Martin and Kahne in the Hendrick family. Stewart Haas Racing receives chassis, engines and technical support from HMS. So Kahne could be housed there until Martin's contract was up, if necessary. In 2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed a five-year deal with Hendrick. Jimmie Johnson last year signed an extension through 2015, and Jeff Gordon has a lifetime contract. Kahne is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports, and plans to finish the season in the #9 Ford, sources said. It is unknown whether Kahne's sponsor, Budweiser, will accompany him to HMS [which sponsored Hendrick's #25 Chevy for years]. Hendrick Motorsports officials had no comment. Calls placed to Kahne, who turned 30 last weekend, and to his agent were not returned.(ESPN)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver Kasey Kahne has informed the team he will not renew his contract at the conclusion of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Kahne, driver the #9 Budweiser Ford Fusion, has been with RPM since entering NASCAR's premier series in 2004. "Kasey is a very talented driver and I have enjoyed watching him race. We all wish him nothing but the best and hope he succeeds in anything he chooses to do," said team owner Richard Petty. "Drivers like Kasey Kahne are the very reason we got into this sport. Kasey has helped us get to where we are today," George Gillett, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports said. "We wish him well in his future however we have the rest of this season to race together and we're looking forward to a successful remainder of the year."(RPM)(4-13-2010)
MORE: It was reported initially that Kahne's deal with Hendrick would begin in 2011. A source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Kahne will take over the #5 car for the 2012 season, but his 2011 plans are still undecided. "I've actually thought a lot about that but I'm not sure what I'm going to do next year," Kahne said after taking batting practice with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Tuesday. "I've given it some thought though." Sources confirm that Mark Martin will drive the #5 car through the 2011 season. There is room for Martin and Kahne in the Hendrick family. Stewart Haas Racing receives chassis, engines and technical support from HMS. So Kahne could be housed there until Martin's contract was up. Kahne is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports, and plans to finish the season in the No. 9 Ford, sources said. It is unknown whether Kahne's sponsor, Budweiser, will accompany him to HMS. Mark Wright, vice president of media, sports and entertainment marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., said Budweiser is currently focused only on the current season with Kahne. "There have been no discussions relative to our sponsorship as of yet. We look forward to having those at the appropriate time," Wright said.(ESPN)(4-14-2010)
UPDATE2 - HMS PR: Beginning with the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Kasey Kahne will drive the #5 Chevys of Hendrick Motorsports after signing a long-term contract with the organization. Mark Martin, 51, the current driver of Hendrick Motorsports' #5 team, will complete the 2010 and 2011 seasons. When Kahne takes over in 2012, he will join teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Hendrick's four-car stable. "In Kasey, we saw an opportunity to cement a big piece of our future," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "He possesses incredible talent and a tremendous dedication to his craft, and we know he'll be a great fit within our company. Kasey has earned the respect of his future teammates by the way he's handled himself on and off the racetrack, and we know he'll be a contributor to the success of Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. To have someone of his caliber join our team is an unbelievable opportunity for us."
"I have a comfort level with Mr. Hendrick, my future teammates and the culture of the organization," said Kahne, whose contract with Hendrick Motorsports will run through the 2015 Sprint Cup season. "For me, it's the right fit on every level, and I think it gives me a great chance to win races and compete for championships. "Determining the next step in my career has been an important process, and I'm excited and relieved to have the decision made and announced. Now it's my responsibility to put all of my energy into winning races and having a successful 2010 with my current team and our sponsors." Although 2012 and beyond has been solidified, Kahne is not scheduled to drive a Hendrick Motorsports entry in 2011 due to NASCAR's four-car limit. While who he will race for has not yet been determined, Kahne intends to drive a full Sprint Cup Series schedule next season. "If this opportunity was going to happen, I knew having some unanswered questions would be part of the scenario at this stage," Kahne acknowledged. "Hendrick Motorsports has a commitment to Mark Martin that they want to fulfill, and that's important. It's part of what attracts me to the team."(Hendrick Motorsports)(4-14-2010)
Richard Petty Motorsports in default on loan UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports, the NASCAR team owned by George Gillett, has been in default on a roughly $90 million loan since at least February but expects to soon restructure the obligation, sources said last week. The default on the debt underscores the harm NASCAR suffered from the economic collapse of late 2008 and, in particular, the impact of contraction among Detroit's Big Three automakers on race teams. Gillett, who last year sold the Montreal Canadiens and still owns half of Liverpool FC, lost Chrysler's backing of his race team when that company filed for bankruptcy protection. Ford is now supporting the four-car team. Gillett declined to comment on specifics of the restructuring because of the ongoing creditor talks, but he emphasized the default is technical in nature, meaning that he did not miss a payment but, rather, failed to meet terms of at least one covenant. Loans commonly have covenants that might, for example, require the borrower to sustain a certain level of cash flow. Prior to the economic troubles of late 2008, lenders were relatively lenient with these kinds of defaults, but they since have become more stringent and less forgiving. One finance source, who requested anonymity because of knowledge of the deal, denied Gillett's characterization, insisting the default was payment-related.(Sports Business Journal / Fox News)(4-13-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports agreed Monday night to a deal that would restructure the debt of the company, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Tuesday. According to the source, the deal is subject to final signatures and that 10 of the 11 banks involved in the restructuring have agreed to terms. This comes on the heels of a report that RPM, owned by George Gillett, has been in default on a loan of about $90 million since February. The source said the loan is closer to $70 million and that it was allowed to lapse with the hope that it would provide leverage with the banks to restructure. Had the banks opted to foreclose on the loan they could have taken possession of team assets and some revenue from sponsors, but none of Gillett's personal assets. Gillett would not comment on specifics of the deal but said RPM has no plans of going under. "I don't think we'll just survive, we'll thrive," Gillett said. Gillett said RPM is operating in the black and making a profit. He said debt incurred over the past few years is the result of trying to survive in a tough economy that saw RPM lose financial support from Chrysler, forcing the move to Ford, and sponsors. "When you look at some of the curveballs thrown at us they're substantial," Gillett said. "Yet we've overcome them. We've overcome the loss of all that revenue from sponsors and Chrysler. Based on everything I know our intention is to restructure the debt, enter into an agreement with banks and buy out the debt with new capital that our family would put into and end up with a company that may end up a few million in debt but end up with a company that is fundamentally debt-free," he said.(ESPN)(4-14-2010)
No decision on future by Kahne yet: #9-Kasey Kahne is in the final year of his driving contracts and as such are considered a prize free agents in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Silly Season class. Kahne has said that how Richard Petty Motorsports performs in the early races this season will go a long way towards determining whether he re-signs with the team or moves elsewhere in 2011. Asked by SPEEDtv.com Tuesday if he had come to a decision about whether to stay at RPM or move on, Kahne said, “Not yet. ... I feel like we’ve had a pretty good five races – seven if you count the other two (Budweiser Shootout and Gatorade Duel) to start the year – so I feel pretty good about where we’re at and where we can still go this year.” And despite being 23rd in points, Kahne said he was optimistic that his team could rebound and he could qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. “We’ve had just a few things go on, but that’s racing and things happen,” said Kahne. “I think we can recover from that and gain some of those points back pretty quick, and get in the top 12 and win races.”(SPEEDtv)(3-24-2010)
Kahne still uncetain about future plans: From Ford Racing Notes and Quotes For Las Vegas. #9-Kasey Kahne talks about his slow start to the 2010 season and uncertainty of his plans past 2010 with RPM:
YOU’VE HAD SOME ISSUES THE FIRST TWO WEEKS.
“The car has been decent. At Daytona and last week I think we’ve been top 10 cars. We got in a wreck at Daytona and last week I just made a mistake and cost us a lot of points and a top 10. It’s disappointing, but those things happen once in a while. Hopefully, we’ll get things turned around and have good, strong run this whole weekend.”
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN A HOLE?
“I don’t think our season is over, but we’re definitely in a hole as of today. We’re thirty-something in points, so that’s not very good, but we still have plenty of racing to go.”
IS IT EASIER TO SWALLOW SINCE YOUR CARS ARE GOOD?
“Our cars are good. I wouldn’t say my car is any different than it was last year. I think the Ford engine runs a little better than what we had last year and that’s nice, but as far as balance and going and leading laps or running first, second, third, we’re not there. Hopefully, we can get there with the group of people that we have and working with everybody from Ford. The Ford engine is better, but that’s it. We have a lot of people there. You’ve seen how well Roush has run in the past and we’ve run really well at times at RPM, so, hopefully, we can all put it together and figure out how to make some better race cars.”
HAD YOU EXPECTED MORE AT THIS POINT?
“I expected the cars to be better, I mean just a little bit. You’d think gaining with that many people in that group and pulling our knowledge and their knowledge together you would think, ‘Man, we’ve got to have a better balance on race cars doing that.’ That’s not the case, but I think as the season goes, hopefully, it will be the case, but not as of right now.”
WHEN DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING NEXT YEAR?
“It’s something I want to know during the season for sure, but it’s kind of nice to be able to sit back and look and watch the performance of our team, watch the performance of the Chevrolets, the Toyotas, the Fords and the Dodges and just kind of see where everybody is at and make that decision. We have plenty of time to do it, so it’s pretty nice to be where we’re at right now, I think, with that stuff and give everybody a fair shot and to kind of know the direction. But, like we see, everything is always up and down. One year one team runs really well, and the next year they’re not quite as good. It seems like Hendrick has been on a little roll here for a while, but looking at the gains of RCR it’s pretty awesome if you ask me. They made more gains than anybody. They went from wherever they were last year to being right in the middle of it. It’s pretty cool to see somebody jump like that.”
IS RPM IN A TRYOUT PHASE RIGHT NOW? DO YOU HAVE TO SEE SOMETHING FROM THEM?
“Well, I have to feel like we’re going in the right direction. This is my seventh year and I’ve stuck it out with them since day one and done everything I could to drive and done everything to communicate and I’m gonna keep doing that. In the middle of this year or towards the end of this year, when I decide to make my decision of what I’m gonna do, if I don’t feel like we’re gonna be able to run with the Hendrick cars for the next three or four years, then I’ve got to make a change. If I feel like we can, then I’m gonna stay right where I’m at.”
WILL YOU LOOK AT IT EVERY WEEK TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN POINTS?
“I think if we run well it would be kind of exciting to see that I jumped five spots or three spots or how that works, so I’ll look forward to running well, hopefully, and jumping up that list to see how many spots we can pick up a weekend. I saw Johnson picked up a bunch. Early in the year you can pick up a lot if you have a good race.”(Ford Notes/RFR)(2-27-2010)
Petty updates wife's condition: Richard Petty updated his wife Lynda's condition on Sunday, saying doctors are confident she can defeat cancer. Lynda Petty is being treated at Duke University Medical Center for central nervous system lymphoma, a form of brain cancer. "She's already had a couple of treatments and she went through them real good," Petty said. "Yesterday she looked at me and said, 'Get up and get out of here and get on to Daytona.' So I know she's doing pretty good. They [her doctors] feel like they can completely wipe the cancer out." Petty, who shares the Sprint Cup record of seven championships along with Dale Earnhardt Sr., is the co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. Petty said he hasn't been involved with the team much since Lynda became ill. RPM merged with Yates Racing last month. "Since November I've spent a lot of time with Lynda Gale," Petty said. "After more than 50 years together, I thought that's what I needed to do. I've still been involved in all major decisions [at RPM]. But some of the PR stuff I put on the back burner. She is more important than racing right now." Petty said his wife started showing systems of vision problems a year ago, but it took doctors a long time to diagnose the problem. "It took until December for them to really understand the problem and the way to treat it. They have operated on both her eyes to make sure they are in good shape when the cancer goes away." Petty said he's thankful for all the interest and support his family has received from fans and friends. "Just keep us in your prayers," he said. "We've been real fortunate. We appreciate everybody thinking about her."(ESPN)(2-14-2010)
Get well Lynda Petty UPDATE: Lynda Petty, wife of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, will undergo a medical procedure Friday to determine the underlying cause of an ongoing medical condition. "My family has always been my number one priority. I hate to miss any racing or racing-related event but at this time being with my wife Lynda is where I need to be," Richard Petty said. The Petty family is thankful for the support from family, friends, fans, and all those in the racing community and asks for the continued respect for their privacy during this time. Richard and Lynda Petty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009.(NASCAR.com)(1-22-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty's wife, Lynda, has been diagnosed with CNS (Central Nervous System) Lymphoma. Mrs. Petty will be treated at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center. "We are thankful for the medical team at Duke. My wife Lynda is in good hands," Richard Petty said Thursday in a team statement. "The doctors and our family are very optimistic that the treatment for this cancer will be successful." The Petty family appreciates the support from family, friends, and fans as well as the continued respect for their privacy during this time.(NASCAR.com/RPM)(2-4-2010)
Will Kahne bolt RPM? he could stay: The rumor mill already has #9-Kasey Kahne out the door at Richard Petty Motorsports when his current contract ends in 2010, with Stewart-Haas Racing as his most likely destination. Kahne, however, said Tuesday during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour that he wouldn't rule out staying with RPM, which completed its merger with Yates Racing in December. "I feel like I'm in a new deal rather than with the same team," Kahne said of the merger and RPM's technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing. "I've given a lot, and I've worked really hard for the first six years of my Cup career, and I get to decide what I want to do after that. But like I've always said, it's about performance and how well we run, and I think this could be the best opportunity that I've ever had in the Cup series. This could be a great spot for me, really. I'm open right now, because I don't know exactly what we have. I feel like the change to Yates engines, the change to working with the Roush teams and still having everybody at RPM—we've done such a good job over the last year—I feel like it's something I definitely need to pay attention to and not say, 'Man, I don't want to be here,' because this could be a spot where I really do want to be as the season goes, depending on performance and how well we run."(Sporting News)(1-20-2010)
Richard Petty Motorsports Merger Now Complete: Rumors of a Richard Petty Motorsports/Yates Racing merger began circulating a few months ago but it wasn't until today that the racing community could stop calling them rumors. "I'm here to announce the best kept secret in all of motorsports, which is that the merger between Yates Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports is officially completed," said Foster Gillette, managing partner of Richard Petty Motorsports, in a press conference Tuesday morning. The merger, which happened in December, brought some big changes along with it. During the 2010 season Richard Petty Motorsports will be running Ford Fusions, ending its long relationship with Dodge. Also, RPM will leave behind its previous home in Statesville, N.C., moving to the Yates Racing facility in Concord, N.C. Filling the four driver positions at RPM will be #19-Elliott Sadler, #9-Kasey Kahne, #43-AJ Allmendinger and #98-Paul Menard. "The addition of a great team, great talent of drivers - we have Elliott, Paul, Kasey, and AJ adding to the fleet of Fords out there on every Sunday," said Jamie Allison, Director of Ford Racing. "That's something to be looking forward to." Richard Petty Motorsports will maintain the alliance that Yates Racing had with Roush Fenway Racing and Doug Yates will be in charge or the Roush Yates engine program.(Charlotte Motor Speedway Sprint Media Tour Notes)(1-20-2010)
Chili Bowl results - Kahne finishes 18th: Another one of those coveted Golden Driller trophies is going back to Tennessee. This time though, it’s not in Sammy’s hands as Kevin Swindell topped Saturday night’s 50-lap Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals main event that wrapped up a full slate of Rockstar Energy Drink championship feature events atop the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway. The 20-year-old from Germantown, TN, led the final 26 rounds to become the youngest winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history, adding a sixth Golden Driller from the prestigious Midget racing event to the Swindell family collection that already includes hardware from his father’s unmatched five wins. Swindell went on to take the win in the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking #39 Spike in front of Whitt and his father Sammy, who rallied from the tail on several occasions after using a defending race winner’s provisional to start the main event. Jerry Coons, Jr., finished fourth in the finale for the second year in a row, with two-time Chili Bowl Hard Charger Award winner Chris Windom racing from 20th to a career-best event finish of fifth. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kasey Kahne finished 18th after winning the first “B” Main. See more news and results at Chilibowl.com.(1-17-2010)
2009 News
DVD about "the Rise of Kahne" released: Kasey Kahne Racing announced the release of a new DVD entitled "The Rise of Kahne" that documents Kasey Kahne's rise from short track racing to NASCAR superstardom. The 90-minute, documentary style DVD narrated by country music star Dierks Bentley presents fans with an insider's gaze into Kahne's life on and off the race track. Arriving just in time for the holiday season, "The Rise of Kahne" is now available for sale at www.kaseykahnestore.com for the introductory price of $19.99.
Produced by NASCAR Media Group in conjunction with Motorsports Management International and Kasey Kahne Racing, "The Rise of Kahne" follows Kahne's journey from his home state of Washington across the country to Indiana and finally to North Carolina as he battles the short track racing ranks in USAC on his high-octane drive to the elite ranks of NASCAR. Fans have a front row seat to watch Kahne
charging toward his dream and chasing childhood heroes like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, all while building the skills needed to make it to the top, where he eventually becomes one of the most recognizable faces in American motorsports.
"What I like most about the DVD is that it made me reflect back about all the things that happened over the years trying to make it to NASCAR," said Kahne, an 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner and a former USAC National Midget champion. "It captures not only the good times, but also the bad times that are a big part of what everybody in this sport experiences."
Kahne's ascent to racing stardom is also a tale of committed family and loyal fans. He is a humble dirt- track prodigy that took his talent to the highest level, yet remains a down-to-earth guy today. It's a story any motorsports enthusiast won't want to miss, and a journey never to forget.
"The Rise of Kahne" DVD features sit-down interviews with Kahne and members of his family, exclusive video and photos, archival racing footage, behind-the-scenes NASCAR and World of Outlaws footage, and a special bonus features section. DVD cover artwork is available at sportssystems.com. For more information, visit www.kaseykahnestore.com.(MMI)(12-17-2009)
Petty-Yates Merger supposedly a done deal: Richard Petty Motorsports officially became a Ford operation on Thursday. The merger deal was signed between principals from RPM and Yates Racing and the appropriate paperwork was filed with Ford Motor Company. Richard Petty Motorsports brings three additional teams to the table, the #9, #19 and #43. Ford officials have said repeatedly what a coup it was to gain #9-Kasey Kahne, who finished 10th in the Sprint Cup point standings, into the fold as well as 28-year-old #43-AJ Allmendinger. #19-Elliott Sadler will also join the driver roster which included #98-Paul Menard from the former Yates organization. RPM is currently operating out of Statesville, N.C. The former Yates Racing buildings in Concord, N.C. are currently being remodeled to accommodate all four teams. That move is scheduled for Speedweeks in February.(FoxSports)(12-4-2009)
Blue Changes at Yates Shop: The building used by Yates Racing in Concord, N.C., soon will be gutted and prepared to expand into a four-car Sprint Cup garage when the merger with Richard Petty Motorsports is completed. The building was used to field two cars owned by Yates/Hall of Fame Racing in 2009. With the merger it will expand to the #9 of Kasey Kahne, #19 of Elliott Sadler, #43 of AJ Allmendinger and #98 of Paul Menard. The building is expected to be painted the famous Petty Blue since the organization will take on the RPM name.(ESPN Insider)(11-25-2009)
Evernham looking to be involved with race team again: Former car owner and crew chief, Ray Evernham, said prior to Sunday's season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he hopes to get a series of legal issues resolved in the coming weeks that may pave the way for a return in some capacity with a race team. "Unfortunately for me, there are a lot of legal things going on right now. And there will be more legal things to come," said Evernham, who remains a minority stockholder in what is now known as Richard Petty Motorsports and also serves as a color analyst on ESPN television race broadcasts. "I'm not 100 percent sure [what I'll be doing next year]. Right now I have a contract on the table from ESPN -- and I love working for ESPN. I have a blast with what I do there. We'll have to see. I'm not going to say that I'll never be back over here. I just don't know in what capacity."
Evernham has made no secret of his desire to rid himself of his minority stake in RPM, which previously was known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports -- and before that was simply Evernham Motorsports, in which he was founder and majority owner. "I've got some meetings next week. There is a lot going on where we've got to get some clear communication on -- things that are going on and where I fit in all that," Evernham said. "I own a percentage of everything as a stockholder. I am a stockholder in that business today." He also has a non-compete deal with Gillett-Evernham that he would like clarified -- if not severed altogether. That could clear the way for him to return to the garage in some capacity with another race team beginning as early as next season. Evernham added that he has not spoken with majority owner George Gillett on any consulting issues since last May.(NASCAR.com)(11-23-2009)
Kahne considering leaving RPM after 2010: from a Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes - Kasey Kahne Open Interview done at Homestead:
Q) HOW MUCH WILL YOU TRY AND STAY IN THE LOOP WITH RPM MANAGEMENT ON WHAT’S GOING ON?
Kahne: “I use to try and stay in the loop and then things don’t happen that they say will. At this point, I have one year left (on my RPM contract). I want to do the best job for Richard Petty Motorsports in my final year. It’s up to them what happens. They do their thing and I’ll do mine. All I can do is make myself better at driving race cars and communicating with Kenny Francis. If I do that, I’ll be happy next season.”
Q) SO YOU’LL TRY AND LOOK ELSEWHERE NEXT YEAR?
Kahne: “Yeah.”
Q) REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR, WILL NEXT YEAR BE YOUR LAST YEAR WITH RPM?
Kahne: “That’s hard to say. Come January, I can start looking around; I can talk to other people. I would imagine the Gillett’s are going to talk to me at that point. But as of right now, the Gillett’s haven’t talked to me and I’m just kind of doing my job, doing the best that I can through the end of the season. The ups and downs of the team has made it difficult for me to really say, ‘Man, I’m going to be here for 10 more years.’ I really don’t know what’s going to happen. Truthfully, I don’t know what’s going to happen right now.”(Dodge Motorsports Transcript)(11-20-2009)
Roush's Smith not retiring: Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith has decided to delay his retirement. Smith said because of tough economic times and the merger between partner Yates Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports that he will stay on at least through the 2010 season. Smith is handling a lot of the paperwork in the merger that he said is agreed to on all major issues and should be announced soon. He also plays a major role in bringing sponsors to the cars for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. Smith has yet to wrap up a full season of sponsorship for the #17 of Matt Kenseth.(see more at ESPN Insiders)(11-17-2009)
Richard Petty says with merger nearing completion: Richard Petty said the Richard Petty Motorsports-Yates Racing proposed merger is still in the hands of the lawyers, but with the likelihood of it happening, RPM had to begin its staff reductions this week.
Sources indicated more than 150 people were laid off earlier this week or were told they would be laid off after the season ends next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. RPM, which fields four teams, and Yates, which fields two, announced in September they planned to merge – and with NASCAR’s four-team limit, the staff reductions were anticipated. “If we’re going to do what we’re going to do, we’ve got to start somewhere,” Petty said Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. “This is basically where we’re starting.” Many of those laid off were in the engine shop and the car manufacturing department, sources said. The new organization will use Roush Yates Engines and likely will be based in the current Yates shop in Concord, N.C. – about 45 miles from the current RPM shop in Statesville, NC. “I think we’re moving there to the [Yates shop near the] airport,” Petty said. “As far as I know. Tune in next week.”(SceneDaily)(11-14-2009)
RPM Engine shop to shut down UPDATE: What's left of the original Evernham Motorsports engine shop is expected to shut down on Monday, according to multiple sources. Richard Petty Motorsports will retain the necessary personnel to complete the final two races of the season when engine duties will revert to Roush Yates engines with the move to Ford. With the merger of RPM and Yates Racing, the Petty crew chiefs were told that each team would be able to keep 17 crewmen per team. The overall reduction for the organization is expected to be 200 of 250 employees once the deal is complete.(FoxSports)(11-9-2009)
UPDATE: The NASCAR workforce shrunk by 47 people on Monday as Richard Petty Motorsports took the first steps toward shutting down its engine department in Concord, NC. RPM is making reductions in its staff with the impending merger with Yates Racing. Additional cuts are expected in the car shop in Statesville, N.C. on Tuesday. Sources said on Sunday that the three remaining teams expected to join forces with Yates will retain 17 crewmen per team. But given the move to Ford — which started at Talladega with #19-Elliott Sadler on Oct. 30th and continued this past weekend with #44-AJ Allmendinger at Texas, there's no need to continue building new Dodge cars or engines. The engine department will continue to employ 14 employees through the end of the season to assist in the organization for the final two races. Roush Yates Engines will supply powerplants for the team in 2010.(FoxSports)(11-10-2009)
Kahne back running new Dodge engine: #9-Kasey Kahne, who qualified 2nd for the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, confirmed that he is competing with Dodge’s latest R6 V-8 engine. “The engine is running awesome. It just felt really good,” said Kahne, winner of the spring race here in 2006. “I could feel the racetrack around the whole corner and down the straightaways. It was really about all I had. I’m looking forward to this weekend. We’ve made some really nice gains in our engine shop here the last few months.”(Racin' Today)(11-7-2009)
Kahne to run Olympic scheme at Daytona: Budweiser announced that it will celebrate U.S. Olympians with a special paint scheme at next season's Daytona 500. Driver Kasey Kahne will pilot the #9 Budweiser Team USA Ford in the 52nd running of "The Great American Race" at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2010, and the Auto Club 500 in Fontana, Calif. on Feb. 21, 2010, both which coincide with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12-28). Budweiser Team USA Olympic Paint Scheme die cast cars will be available for purchase beginning October 23 and can be ordered through BudShop.com, Nascar.com and at the tracks. Proceeds from the die cast car sales will be donated to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to assist athletes' training and travel costs for the Olympic Winter Games. Budweiser has been associated with the Olympic Games since the Los Angeles 1984 Games. Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983. Budweiser also is the title sponsor of the annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, the exclusive beer and malt beverage advertiser of the Daytona 500, and the "Official Beer Sponsor" of Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400.(Team USA), see images of the car on my 2010 #9 Team Schemes page.(10-17-2009)
McArdle back at the track: Mark McArdle, former director of competition at Richard Petty Motorsports, was at the track Friday for the first time since departing the team at Richmond in September. McArdle and the team parted ways after a disagreement between McArdle and car owner George Gillett. McArdle is looking for a position with another team in the sport but has to receive approval from Richard Petty Motorsports. Most contracts feature non-compete clauses and require a team's approval to move to another team.
McArdle would not discuss details of his departure except to say it was time for a change. "I've always advised those who work under me that if the bus is going somewhere you don't want to go, then maybe you need to get off the bus,'' he said.(Roanoke Times)(10-17-2009)
RPM could use Ford engine this season: Richard Petty Motorsports is exploring the option of using a Ford engine in at least one of its four cars before the end of the season, team co-owner Richard Petty said on Thursday. Petty, whose team will continue to use Dodge engines this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway, said nothing can happen until the merger with Yates Racing is complete. He gave no timetable, saying only that "it's in the hands of lawyers." But Petty said switching at least one car to a Ford before the end of the season is the goal, if the transition can be worked out. He could not say whether #9-Kasey Kahne, who is in the championship Chase for the Sprint Cup, would be that driver. "Right now there are like 400 options," Petty said. "We don't know right now if we'll make the transition before the end of this season or do it all before the start of next season."(ESPN)(10-15-2009)
Roush to visit RPM: Jack Roush is scheduled to take a tour of the Richard Petty Motorsports facility on Wednesday.
Other managers from Roush Fenway Racing will join Rosuh on the tour of the Statesville, N.C., shop. There have been ongoing talks since before September of a merger between Yates Racing, a sister organization of Roush Fenway, and RPM. Regardless of whether RPM merges with Yates, majority team owner George Gillett has said his team will be running Fords in 2010. Given that Roush is the principal supplier of Ford engines, RPM will be working directly with RFR in one form or another.(FoxSports), see an image of a real #9 Budweiser Ford for 2010 on my #9 Team Schemes page.(10-14-2009)
Phantom caution issue raised by Kahne: The [phantom debris] issue has come roaring back behind #9-Kasey Kahne's accusation that NASCAR threw a bogus caution Sunday to bunch up the field and avoid a boring runaway win by Jimmie Johnson at Auto Club Speedway. Kahne was likely headed to a top-10 finish when he was wrecked on a restart with 12 laps to go. Kurt Busch started the accident when he bounced off the wall and into Kahne. The contact sent Kahne into Greg Biffle, and both cars spun through the grass with enough damage to ruin their race. "It's disappointing that we had a bad race because of a caution to put a show on for the fans. That's a good part of the sport - we have to keep the fans excited - but sometimes it ruins people's days," said Kahne. There's one small problem with Kahne's contention. There was clearly debris on the track. "There was debris on the track, it was talked about on the (NASCAR) radio, it was identified as something being there and the caution was thrown," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Monday. And if NASCAR had been wrong, and there was nothing on the track? Oh well. "NASCAR is always going to put the safety of the competitors first, and when it comes to identifying something on the track, we're always going to err on the side of caution," Poston said. And that's what will forever keep this issue alive. Because sometimes there may not be debris on the track, competitors and fans will always form their own opinions on NASCAR's intent at the time of the caution.(Associated Press)(10-13-2009)
Allmendinger in a Ford at Lowe's? Sadler at 'Dega? Richard Petty Motorsports has had a Ford in its possession ready to race since after New Hampshire. It would not be a surprise if AJ Allmendinger is driving a Fusion at Lowe's Motor Speedway next weekend or the week after that. Once the #44 car flips over to Ford, it will remain a Fusion the rest of the season. In addition to Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler is expected to drive a Roush-prepared Ford with a Yates engine at Talladega. Whether or not RPM's proposed merger with Yates Racing goes through, team owner George Gillett has said his team will run Ford's next season.(FoxSports)(10-11-2009)
Gillett says Yates-RPM merger on track UPDATE: George Gillett Jr., majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports [#9,19,43,44], said he hopes to form a stock-car league in Saudi Arabia as part of a contractual agreement he signed this week with Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a member of the Saudi Royal Family. But Gillett emphasized that he is not selling the team. He said he hopes to finalize a merger with Yates Racing soon, and that RPM will race Fords in 2010. Gillett felt the need to address many issues about RPM after some reports this week falsely stated Gillett's new deal with the Saudi prince would lead to the prince's sports management team taking over RPM. "I came back from Europe into a maelstrom of massively inaccurate stories," Gillett said Saturday at Kansas Speedway. "So I thought we could correct it and move forward. As part of out conversations [with the Saudis], it became clear we should have aligned interest. We discussed if they had an interest in buying a small interest in RPM. A majority? Heck no. It was a very early conversation, but it was completely distorted. I come here today as a man with a clear conscious and potentially a very attractive partner. If he becomes a small investor [in RPM] I can't imagine it would be anything but positive for the sport. That's the story." Gillett said he and the Saudis are in the talks to form some type of stock-car league overseas Gillett said the merged RPM/Yates operation will be at least a three-car team and hopefully four cars. He would not confirm who if those four drivers would be Kasey Kahne, A.J. Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler and Paul Menard, which was reported earlier.(ESPN)(10-3-2009)
UPDATE: “The Yates transaction is on track,” said Gillett, whose RPM organization fields cars for A.J. Allmendinger, Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson in the Sprint Cup Series. “We’re going now from letter of intent to a full contract.”(Racin' Today)(10-4-2009)
Petty says merger neogiations still ongoing: Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Richard Petty says that negotiations on the team’s proposed merger with Yates Racing are continuing, and he still expects the deal to be completed. RPM and Yates officials announced Sept. 10 that they planned to merge. At the time, Petty said he thought the deal would close within a few weeks. “It’s still in negotiations, and so far they ain’t signed nothing,” Petty said Wednesday following a news conference to promote the upcoming races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I feel like if it went this far, we are going to go forward with it.”(SceneDaily)(10-1-2009)
Kahne using R5 Engine at Kansas...and beyond? UPDATE: #9-Kasey Kahne, Teleconference Transcript (in part) from September 29, 2009:
Q: What engine will you run this weekend at Kansas?
Kahne: I'm using the R5 again this weekend, the same as what we had last week.
Q: Do you anticipate going back to the R6?
Kahne: I think it will be all about reliability. If they think they can get it back where it's really reliable like the R5, then I would think we would probably go back to it. What I told them was that we have some points to make up and if we have anymore issues where we fall outside of the top 35, we're screwed…we have no chance. The very little power that you gain with the R6, it's not nearly enough power for me to say let's take a chance. We definitely want it to be reliable. Maybe we're down a couple horsepower, but that's it. At the end of the day it's not a big deal.(Dodge Motorsports NASCAR PR )(9-30-2009)
UPDATE: Kahne will be using the old R5 Dodge engine this weekend for the second consecutive race, and Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Richard Petty said time will tell if he gets an R6 back in the car. Teammate #19-Elliott Sadler will have a developmental R6 in his car at Kansas. “Until it proves its reliability, we feel like it’s already got us behind, so we don’t want to take that chance,” Petty said.(SceneDaily)(10-1-2009)
Gillett, RPM partnering with Saudi Prince UPDATE2 Petty comments: In what could turn out to be one of the oddest pairings in the history of American stock car racing, Richard Petty Motorsports' primary shareholder George Gillett Tuesday signed an 'exclusive commercial collaboration' agreement for his stake in the team to Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a member of the Saudi Royal Family. The agreement signed Tuesday forms a partnership that will see the development of a NASCAR racing circuit and Richard Petty racing schools in the Saudi Kingdom and elsewhere in the Middle East. "The Middle East sport market has immense growth potential as eager fans in the region demand access to more diverse, higher caliber competition. I am delighted, enthusiastic, and honored to have the opportunity to partner with such a visionary in His Highness Prince Faisal," said Gillett after the signing. According to many however, the agreement signed Tuesday is the first step to Gillett selling his stake in the team. As the two were publicly confirming the agreement, behind the scenes, Gillett and Prince Faisal acting on behalf of the Saudi sports investment group F6 he chairs, have begun a process of 'due diligence', the examination of financial records, with the goal being that Gillett would be bought out by the end of the year. The primary deal in the works actually centers on British football club Liverpool that Gillett owns a 50% stake in, but the deal would also include Richard Petty Motorsports. The Prince was at Anfield Stadium in England on Saturday as a guest Gillett, who confirmed that he has secured funding from the Saudi prince for his NASCAR team and an agreement to build Liverpool-branded football academies in the Middle East. The entire deal is reportedly worth up to $560 million.(NASCAR Examiner)
UPDATE Foster Gillett has confirmed there are no major ownership changes contemplated at Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gilletts are the majority owners of Richard Petty Motorsports and plan on being so for a long time.(RPM)(9-29-2009)
UPDATE2: Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Richard Petty said he didn’t know much about the business relationship formed between RPM majority owner George Gillett and Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah Al Saud to explore commercial opportunities with Gillett and his soccer and motorsports properties. “That’s one of George’s deals,” Petty said. “You’ll have to talk him on that. That’s purely his deal. He’d been meeting with these guys for a pretty good while about his [English] football team.”(SceneDaily)(10-1-2009)
Drivers racing at East Lincoln Speedway: Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and A.J. Allmendinger will join Ray Evernham at East Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday night September 30th as Stanley presents a special night to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Charlotte Affiliate to help fund life-saving breast cancer community outreach programs. Kahne, Sadler and Evernham will be aboard specially designed open wheel race cars in a match race and Sadler will also be the guest commentator for the event.(East Lincoln Speedway PR)
AND: David Reutimann and Erik Darnell are set to join a host of NASCAR stars at East Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday night September 30th as Stanley presents ‘Real Drivers Wear Pink.’(Gaston Gazette)(9-29-2009)
Allmendinger drove for free earlier; could be in a Ford by Talladega: Richard Petty Motorsports' Executive Director of Race Operations Robbie Loomis says the team could field a Ford before the end of the 2009 season. Loomis told FoxSports.com's Lee Spencer, "I don't want to talk about things that are pure speculation, but I don't think it would surprise anybody if we did." A spokesperson for RPM told Sirius Speedway today that there are no plans to field a Ford before 2010, but off the record, sources inside RPM say that the team has already built at least one Ford Fusion, installing a Ford powerplant in an existing RPM chassis. Initial plans were to have #44-AJ Allmendinger debut the car at Kansas Speedway next week, but that timetable was pushed back when Roush-Fenway Racing's Jack Roush expressed reservations about the quick ramp-up. Now, tentative plans call for Allmendinger to drive a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford at Talladega Superspeedway on November 1, with additional outings possible -- though not certain -- at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedways. Calls to Richard Petty Motorsports seeking comment were not immediately returned. Loomis also confirmed today that #43-Reed Sorenson is not the first RPM driver to race for free, saying that Allmendinger also waived his paycheck for a time, in order to remain on the racetrack. "AJ and all the employees at Richard Petty Motorsports made sacrifices in order to continue being a four-car team," he said. "When those guys stepped up, it really said a lot to me about the character of Reed Sorenson, AJ Allmendinger and everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports."(Sirius-Speedway)(9-25-2009)
Broken Crankshaft cause of Kahne's blown engine: The conspiracy theorists are out in force, and this time their focus is #9-Kasey Kahne and that Richard Petty Motorsports engine that blew up last weekend at New Hampshire. Certainly everyone at RPM would deny that the engine was the victim of sabotage. They see each other work hard every day and wouldn’t be able to fathom that anyone they call a friend or a colleague would do such a thing. That’s the way Bill Pink, who directs RPM’s engines at the track, thinks. But he says there’s more than just the feeling that no one would do something to hurt the engine. He says the engines were built and done and ready for New Hampshire before the announcement of the merger Sept. 7. And he says that the crankshaft has been broken five times in tests, just never in a car on the track, and that everyone in the engine shop has known that the crankshafts were ticking time bombs. “We all know these cranks do not work,” Pink says. “But we got painted into a corner where we had to use them [with the R6 engine]. ... Unfortunately, we’ve got more of them just like it sitting here. Everybody was saying this was going to happen sooner or later. Fortunately, it happened later because we got in the Chase. We’ve been all holding our breath. And if the [team owners] Gilletts wouldn’t have announced [the merger], the crank still would have broke." In fact, Kahne will use the old R5 engine at Dover this week until some new, stronger crankshafts that have been in the process of being made are ready.(SceneDaily)(9-22-2009) Comment here
Miller Lite issues challenge to Budweiser: MillerCoors issued a “Beer Car Challenge for Charity” to Anheuser-Busch Inbev, in which the #2 Miller Lite Dodge of Kurt Busch and the #9 Budweiser Dodge of Kasey Kahne would race for their respective charity during the 10-week NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. Both cars secured their spots in the Chase last weekend at Richmond. In MillerCoors’ proposed challenge, the higher finishing beer car in each race will win $2,500 for its charity, and the higher finisher in the final Chase standings will win $25,000 for the same charity. The #2 Miller Lite Dodge has already announced that, should AB InBev accept the challenge, they will be running for Operation Homefront, an organization that helps military families in need.(Tom Roberts PR)(9-18-2009)
RPM & McArdie part ways UPDATE: The deal between Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing already has cost one top official his job. Richard Petty, the minority owner of RPM, said on Saturday that Mark McArdle, the vice president and managing director of competition at RPM, was fired on Friday after a heated confrontation with team co-owner George Gillett Jr. at Richmond International Raceway. Petty would not speculate on how many others in the engine and chassis department might lose jobs if RPM uses Roush-Yates engines and Roush Fenway chassis as planned. Petty said RPM is moving from Dodge to Ford because Dodge could not offer financial support for 2010 and beyond. Yates already has a financial commitment for two Ford teams, and Petty hopes that will increase once the economy is restored.(ESPN.com)(9-13-2009)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports today announced the departure of Mark McArdle, the team’s vice-president and managing director of competition. “The company and Mark have decided to go in different directions. It was an amicable departure and we are finalizing some details with him,” said Rick Russell, team president. “We appreciate all of Mark’s many contributions and wish him well in all future endeavors he may pursue.” McArdle said his departure comes after achieving his goal of restoring the team to championship contention. “We have all worked really hard to get Richard Petty Motorsports back in the Chase and we accomplished that goal Saturday night,” McArdle said. “Everyone at the team should take great pride in that. I wish the company nothing but success in the future. There will be nobody rooting harder for the #9 to win the championship than me.”(RPM)(9-17-2009)
Kahne discuss's being back with Ford:
KASEY KAHNE (#9 Budweiser Dodge) WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT RPM WAS MOVING TO FORD IN 2010? “I was a little bit surprised with that, but I think that it’s better for Richard Petty Motorsports in the long run. They’re trying to build our company and make it stronger and I think that it will be a good thing.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL GOING BACK TO FORD? “I think that it will be a bit different because of the way that our relationship ended last time. We’ll have to figure out how to get through that and go on with it. What Ford’s done in racing has been really good with Roush and Yates over the years. I’m happy with Dodge and what we’ve done here, but it will be a bit of a change next year. I think it’s going to be beneficial for RPM. I think we’re going to help them out too. We have some things that I feel are better than Roush-Yates have. I think their engines are really strong and they have a lot of people to work hard on both programs. If we work hard, it could be a pretty cool deal.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR MOVE BACK TO FORD DESPITE THE CONTENOUS WAY THAT YOU LEFT THEM IN THE PAST? “It really wasn’t about me; it was about building Richard Petty Motorsports. Obviously I left Ford…we went through that whole lawsuit…I wasn’t a big fan and they weren’t a big fan of me. Time heals and I think some of those (Ford) people are gone that caused all that. They have new people there. Ford is really excited and I can work through things. I can figure how to get by and hopefully use those guys and work with those guys to become a better racer and help our company.”
WILL LEAVING DODGE NEXT YEAR HURT YOUR ABILITY IN THIS YEAR’S CHASE? “It’s not going to hurt us in the context of support. The people that we have that have worked hard to put us where we’re at…putting the 9 car where we’re at…are a lot of good people. They still want to win races. I want to win races and we want to run as well in the Chase as we can. Hopefully it doesn’t affect us. It could, hopefully it doesn’t.”(Darnell Communications/Dodge Motorsports PR)(9-12-2009)
More details on the Petty 'buyout' of Yates: The deal that brought together Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing for next season is more of a buyout than a merger, minority owner Richard Petty said on Friday. "We're basically taking over their deal," the seven-time Sprint Cup champion said before qualifying at Richmond International Raceway. "As far as I know all of that whole operation will be Richard Petty Motorsports." Petty said George Gillett Jr., who declined to comment earlier Friday, would remain the controlling owner. He said Robbie Loomis, the executive director of race operations at RPM, will continue to run day to day operations.
He was unsure what role Max Jones, who co-owned Yates Racing with Doug Yates, would take but speculated that he would stay on as the general manager. Jones declined to comment. Sources close to the situation said Yates would continue to run the Roush-Yates engine program that will supply engines to RPM's four teams -- Paul Menard from Yates and Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and A.J. Allmendinger from RPM. Petty said plans are to move from RPM's Statesville, N.C., shop to Yates' facility in Concord, N.C., to be closer to Roush Fenway Racing, which will continue to supply parts, pieces and technical support as it did with Yates. Because engines will come from Roush-Yates, RPM will have to shut down its engine department that employed more than 40 people. Petty said the potential of letting more people go during tough economic times was the tough part of the deal.(in part from ESPN.com)(9-12-2009)
Richard Petty Motorsports to run Fords in 2010, merge w/Yates: Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing announced today they have signed a letter of intent to merge operations in time for the 2010 season. The four-car team will race Fords under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner.
Richard Petty: “This is a pretty big deal for us. We’re thrilled to partner with Ford. We’ve talked with a lot of folks, but in the end it came down to the success the Gilletts and I think we can achieve with Ford Racing. Right now this deal is real new. There are lots of details still left to be ironed out so we don’t have a lot of answers for anyone right now. We’ll be working on all that in the coming days, weeks and months, but we do intend to have everything in place before the start of next season. I’ve won races with Ford and plan to again.”
Team Managing Partner Foster Gillett: “Richard and Kasey (Kahne) showed us Sunday night in Atlanta that they like winning quite a bit and Ford is going to provide the support that we need to go to victory lane more often. If you are going to compete with the other teams in this sport you need a lot of support. We bring a lot to this relationship as well. We’ve won twice this season and the power of Richard Petty is hard to beat, plus we have the support of some of the biggest names in corporate America.”
Yates Racing Co-owner Max Jones: “This is certainly a great opportunity for both Yates Racing as well as Ford Racing. I have had a long-term relationship with Ford and look forward to continuing that relationship at Richard Petty Motorsports. Over the coming weeks we will continue to work with Ford and Richard Petty to lay out the best plan for Paul Menard and all of the employees at Yates Racing. We will continue to field both the #98 and #96 Ford Fusions for the remainder of the season and look forward to continued success on the track with Paul, Bobby Labonte and Erik Darnell.”
Yates Racing Co-owner Doug Yates: “This plan is clearly in the best interest of the Ford Racing community. On a personal level, I am excited about the opportunity to focus my full energy on building Ford horsepower. We look forward to working with Richard Petty Motorsports to produce power second to none. There are many details to be worked out with Richard Petty Motorsports and as we finalize those details we will keep everyone informed.”
Director of Ford North America Motorsports Brian Wolfe: "I am very pleased that Richard Petty Motorsports has made the decision to switch to Ford for the 2010 season. They had choices to consider other than Ford and it's gratifying to us that they have enough faith in the Ford Motor Company and what we're doing to make the switch. We believe we can provide them with superior analytical tools and powertrain, and we will work with them closely on the technical front to help them become even more competitive than they are. What's also really cool to me is the chance to have someone with the class and the legacy of Richard Petty involved with Ford. Combine that with the chance to work with the Gillett family, who we have great respect for, and add some great drivers to the Ford camp, well, it's hard not to be excited about this opportunity."
Note: Paul Menard will be one of the drivers in the Petty team joining #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #44-AJ Allmendinger.(Richard Petty Motorsports)
and the PR doesn't mention Reed Sorenson or what car number Menard will run and with this merger, looks like the #26 Roush Fenway Racing team may now go away as they it not merge with Yates Racing now, since Yates and RPM merging is at the four car limit mandated by NASCAR. So unless something changes, two more cars/teams are lost: would expect RPM to run the #9, #19 and #43 so either the #44 team or the #98 team would go away and the #26 Ford that was rumored to be going to Yates.
UPDATE: on Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128, Sirius Speedway radio show, Reed Sorenson, current driver of the #43 RPM Dodge, was interviewed and said he knew a few weeks ago that he would not be back with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 and he is looking for a ride in 2010. Sorenson says he has enjoyed working with all his current sponsors in 2009 and a few would like to stay with him.(9-10-2009)
Kahne wins at Atlanta: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for his 2nd win of 2009 and 11th of his career. Kahne moves up to 6th in drivers points, up 5 spots. #29-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #42-Montoya, #00-Reutimann, #5-Martin, #11-Hamlin, #83-Vickers, #24-Gordon, #39-Newman and #16-Biffle. Points leader #14-Stewart finished 11th, #48-Johnson has rear-end problems and finished 36th, #99-Edwards had debris go thru an oil cooler and lost many laps finishing 37th, #2-Busch wrecked and finished 38th. Other Chase contenders: #17-Kenseth finished 12th and #18-Busch 13th. Vickers is now 13th, 20 points out of 12th and Kyle Busch is 14th, 37 points out of 12th. Pole sitter #1-Truex Jr. finished 26th down a lap after leading 68 laps early in the race. There were 9 cautions for 42 caution laps and there were 31 lead changes among 13 drivers.
For race results, awards and more, see my Atlanta Race Results Page.
For drivers and owners points standings, see the Drivers Points Standings page.(9-6-2009)
Security guard ends civil suit against Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne has finally been able to wipe his hands from an alleged shoving incident at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2007. According to Miami-Dade County court records, a lawsuit brought by track security guard Archibald Hutchinson against Kahne and NASCAR was dismissed Aug. 24. The Richard Petty Motorsports driver has maintained his innocence in the matter, and a misdemeanor battery charge was dismissed in June. “All matters and things in dispute have been amicably settled,” stated the stipulation for dismissal signed by attorneys for NASCAR, Kahne and Hutchinson. The terms of any settlement were not disclosed.(SceneDaily)(9-4-2009)
Petty staying with Dodge? It appears Richard Petty Motorsports will not move from Dodge to Toyota next season. At least that's the impression that Lee White, who heads Toyota Racing Development, gave last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. White said he believes that Mike Accaviti, the president of the Dodge brand, is doing all he can to keep RPM in the fold. He also said that would be a good thing, that the sport needs all four manufacturers to be strong. He actually seemed to wish them luck and didn't seemed bothered that Toyota will not be welcoming in another organization. It makes sense -- Toyota's interest in RPM was tweaked when Red Bull Racing appeared set to leave the fold for General Motors and an association with Hendrick Motorsports. Now that Red Bull is set to re-sign with Toyota, there is not the urgency to get another organization. Having said that, there are no guarantees that RPM will be back with Dodge even if Toyota is out of the picture. The organization has had talks with General Motors as well. But all signs point to Dodge fielding cars for RPM and Penske Racing moving forward.(ESPN Insider)(8-27-2009)
Kahne comments on engine change and Toyota: #9-Kasey Kahne Open Interview:
DID YOUR TEAM FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH YOUR ENGINE? “They’re saying it was a piston and when NASCAR gives them the OK to take the engine apart and go through it, (we can) kind of see why it happened. Our engine has been really reliable, so I was a little bit surprised.”
WAS THAT ONE OF THE NEW R6 ENGINES? “Yes.”
DID YOU PUT IN ANPOTHER DODGE R6 ENGINE? “Yeah, another R6…that’s our back-up (engine).”
DO THEY EAT UP MORE GAS THAN THE R5? “No. Our R6’s fuel mileage is good. We’ve been able to get pretty good fuel mileage and not kill the power doing that. Early on, we weren’t able to do that, but since we’ve had some time to work with it, it’s actually been getting pretty good(fuel mileage).”
ARE YOU ABLE TO PULL ANY INFORMATION FROM THE 44 OR 43? “We don’t use much from them. Everybody uses stuff from us.”
WHAT ABOUT THE REPORT THAT YOU HAD A PHOTO SHOOT WITH TOYOTA? “I don’t know what the deal is with that. I did my Budweiser photo shoot and obviously you guys know that it was a Toyota. Why? I don’t know why it was. I’m Dodge, man. I think I’ll be Dodge next year, truthfully. The Gillett’s put a car in there to do the photo shoot and I took my pictures and hopefully I don’t have to take my pictures again.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(8-15-2009)
RPM Still Talking To Toyota: Multiple sources at Richard Petty Motorsports tell Sirius Speedway that RPM is still mulling the possibility of moving its entire operation to the Toyota camp in 2010. RPM spokesmen have downplayed reports of a possible manufacturer switch in recent weeks, but sources say that talks are ongoing with both Dodge and Toyota. No decisions have been made, but in an attempt to cover all their bases, the team recently had a series of publicity photos taken of Kasey Kahne and a Budweiser-sponsored #9 Toyota Camry.(Sirius Speedway)(8-12-2009)
More on possible changes within RPM: Despite recent rumors that Richard Petty Motorsports would be a three-car team by Watkins Glen next weekend, the King said Sunday at Pocono Raceway that there will be four cars through the end of the season. "We're going to have four cars, but we're going to do some changing around," Petty said. "We're looking to finish up this season (and) preparing for next season. We've got one car, hopefully, that's going to be in the Chase and the other three we've got to get squared away and anticipate for next year. There will be some swapping around with different personnel and stuff like that to put in motion this year the opportunity to see how it works in preparation for next year. Then if it doesn't work, we've still got time to make changes for next year." Don't be surprised if there isn't a crew chief change among the non-title contending teams — #19, #43 and/or #44 — before the Chase begins.(FoxSports)(8-3-2009)
Petty says all four teams will stay...for now: Richard Petty shot down rumors that Sorenson was in danger of being yanked from the #43 Dodge for #44-Allmendinger for performance and financial reasons. "We're going to run all drivers the rest of the year," Petty said. "We'll sort of see what happens after this season and we'll make our decisions on next year." All four drivers are signed through 2010, but Petty said there are no assurances the team can keep all the drivers. "The economy is going to dictate to us what we need to do," he said. "Right now, we're just trying to keep our head above water, hoping that the economy comes around so that we can continue to run four cars." RPM laid off employees and sliced salaries earlier this year in the fallout from Chrysler's Chapter 11 filing. Petty's first choice is to run all four cars in a full Cup season, but economics may decide otherwise. "We can't sacrifice three to try and run a fourth car," Petty said. "Right now, we're still breathing air and we're able to run four cars the rest of the season."(in part from the Associated Press)(8-2-2009)
RPM downsizing? Sorenson out? UPDATE2 denied: Rumors persist that Richard Petty Motorsports will shrink to three cars in the next few weeks, with A.J. Allmendinger moving to the #43 Dodge, replacing Reed Sorenson, and the #44 team being shut down.(Ford Racing)(7-29-2009)
UPDATE: An internet report claiming that Reed Sorenson will be released by Richard Petty Motorsports as part of a downsizing of the team's Sprint Cup roster appears to be premature. The Ford Racing website reported on rumors that Sorenson will be replaced by former Champ Car star A.J. Allmendinger when Allmendinger's #44 Dodge is mothballed within the next few weeks. However, a source close to the team -– speaking on the condition of anonymity –- said today that while the move is being discussed, Sorenson's release is not yet a done deal. "No one is sure that it's going to happen," said the source, "but it's definitely being talked about. The team is working on the details right now." If RPM does indeed decide to trim its roster from four cars to three, Allmendinger's current sponsors would transfer to the #43 Dodge. Calls to Richard Petty Motorsports seeking comment were not immediately returned.(Sirius Speedway)(7-29-2009)
UPDATE: a Richard Petty Motorsports representative says that the team will remain a four car team and Sorenson will stay with the #43 team.(7-31-2009)
200th start for Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne is set to make his 200th consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when he takes the green flag at this weekend’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Talk about making your 200th start this weekend at Indy. “It’s hard to believe this will be the 200th start. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was racing sprint cars in Washington. I feel pretty fortunate to be able to do what I do for a living. I’ve celebrated a lot of great moments in racing and I hope to celebrate more. I still have a lot of goals – I want to win races and compete for and win championships. I’ve had a lot of great support getting to this point and I’m thankful for the success that I have had in NASCAR. I’m lucky to work with the guys on this Budweiser team that support me each week and look forward to rewarding them with more wins.”(Elevation Group/RPM)(7-23-2009)
- Petty working with Chrysler on debt; Kahne in Toyota in Nationwide next year: Chrysler is working on a deal to pay off some of its debt to Richard Petty Motorsports [#9, #19, #43, #44] , co-owner Richard Petty said on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Petty said last month that Chrysler's bankruptcy put cash flow from the manufacturer to the organization on hold. The subsequent layoff of nine RPM employees also was blamed on anticipated cuts from the bankruptcy. "They've stopped everything,'' he said of Chrysler's support. Petty said on Friday that RPM should expect some money soon. "Yeah, we'll get some money from them,'' he said. "Right now we're in the process of figuring out exactly what they can do to get back to us to see what we can do." Petty's initial comments increased speculation that RPM may leave Dodge for Toyota after this season. The organization is in the final year of its contract and has partnered with Toyota's Braun Racing for five Nationwide Series races in 2009.(ESPN.com)
AND: Braun Racing [Nationwide Series team] announced that Great Clips, Inc., will return for another three seasons to sponsor the #38 Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Jason Leffler will pilot the #38 Great Clips Camry for 27 of the 35 scheduled races while Kasey Kahne will drive the #38 in the remaining eight races.(Braun Racing PR)(7-4-2009)
- Truex to MWR as of Chicago? looks doubtful: Could Martin Truex Jr. be headed to Waltrip's outfit a little sooner than next season? It seems like a pretty good possibility. One garage source said it's a likely possibility that Truex will be behind the wheel of Waltrip's #55 NAPA Toyota Camry for the Lifelock.com 400 on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway, with Aric Almirola taking over his current seat in the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing #1 Bass Pro Chevy. And while the Truex to MWR rumor has been floating in the pond for some time, another name was tossed into the rumor mill concerning the big Waltrip announcement. Could Richard Petty Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne be heading to a new third Toyota team with MWR? Sounds odd, but its being whispered.[Jayski Note: Kahne is signed with RPM thru 2010](Hartford Courant)
AND The company line at Michael Waltrip Racing is that despite the expected announcement on July 7 that Martin Truex Jr. will join the fold (hearing in the #56 Toyota), he will not drive the car until next season. And Waltrip will likely continue to run a limited 10 to 12 race schedule in the #55 car in 2010. But the consensus in the garage is that Truex could be in a MWR car as early as the Chicagoland Cup race in two weeks. A press release from NAPA announcing Waltrip's brother Darrell (also a NASCAR on FOX analyst) as an honorary pit crew member for this weekend Coke Zero 400 has only fueled the speculation that it will be Michael's last race. For now, MWR Vice President and GM Ty Norris and COO Cal Wells' say that the teams will remain status quo for 2009. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing president Steve Lauletta says he expects to have Aric Almirola back in the #8 Chevy by mid-August if sponsorship can be secured. Lauletta echoed MWR's sentiments that Truex will not be departing from the #1 Chevy before season's end.(FoxSports)(6-30-2009)
- "The King" dicusses Toyota rumors: Tuesday, June 23rd on “Sirius Speedway” on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, host Dave Moody spoke with NASCAR legend Richard Petty. Petty was asked about the rumors that Richard Petty Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne might be switching from a Dodge to a Toyota.
Host, Dave Moody: “Lot of rumors swirling around about Kasey Kahne and a possible affiliation with Toyota, on again, off again, conversations that may or may not be happening. What can you tell us on that, if anything?”
Richard Petty: “Exactly what you just said. That’s how much I know about it, too. It’s all swirling around. You grab some of it. I don’t really know, okay? And I don’t think anybody knows right now exactly where we’re sitting, what we’re gonna do, what’s gonna happen, you know, three weeks from now let alone the beginning of next year. We’re like everybody else. We’re trying to put ourselves together with our sponsor deals, make sure we’ve got monetary deals to be able to go do the deal. Then we’re going to look at whatever we think is going to be the best for Richard Petty Motorsports in the short run and the long run. Because after being here for 50 or 60 years anyway I’m not looking for a quick fix, okay? We’re trying to put stuff together so that we can go on down the road next year, the year after next, the year after that. What happens? I don’t know. We’re open about anything right now to look at. So we’re going to put everything on the table and then we’re going to say, ‘Okay, this happens and that happens and this over here happens.’ Then we hope we’ll make the right decisions on where we go. Other than that, that’s about all I know about it.”
Moody: “I know you’ve been fiercely loyal to Dodge over the years but at the end of the day loyalty doesn’t feed the dog, does it?”
Petty: “Well, you’ve got to look at it from the standpoint that can Dodge be loyal to us now that the government owns Chrysler, okay, or whoever owns it? So I don’t know if the people that are head of what’s going on right now, are they race fans? If they are then that’s going to be great. But if they’re not then, you know, it affects so many people and there’s so much going on out there, under the table deal or under the ground, that we don’t know about. So what Dodge does next year or what Chevrolet does or what Ford does or Toyota or whoever, we’re just going to have to sort of wait and let things sort of let the dust settle and then we’re going to run in there and pick up the best thing we can.”
Moody: “Would it be even theoretically feasible to field two different brands of race cars out of the same race shop? Could that be done?”
Petty: “You know, I’ve asked the same question. (laughs) Really, I have. I said, ‘What if?’ And I think that’s what we’re gonna have to do. We’re gonna have to say, ‘What if?’ and then see if it’s done and what would it be to be able to do something like that. The problem I see with running two different kinds of cars out of the same shop is basically the engine shop. The cars have got the same wheels, same brakes, same chassis, same basic body so all that stuff would be easy. The big deal was how could you do the motor situation? That would be the big question mark. I don’t know if it’s ever been done but if it could be done we could probably do it.”
“SIRIUS Speedway” airs every weekday (3-7 pm ET) exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio.(SIRIUS XM Radio)(6-24-2009)
- Kahne to Toyota? by August? denied UPDATE 4: Speculation is increasing that Dodge driver #9-Kasey Kahne, who runs for Richard Petty, could switch to a Toyota by the July 11th Sprint Cup race at Chicago. Petty has said that Chrysler has cut its payments to his four-car operation, and apparently Petty has only enough engine parts for one of the new Dodge NASCAR engines. Petty's business partner, George Gillett, tried last season to make a deal with Toyota. There is no immediate comment from Toyota officials.(mikemulhern.net)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE: And speculation that Richard Petty and Kasey Kahne could switch to Toyotas as soon as July?
Lee White, head of Toyota' racing development operations, says "I've never talked to the King or his driver. I'm pretty sure that no one at Toyota/TRD has talked to either of them."(mikemulhern.net)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that Richard Petty Motorsports will begin fielding Toyotas for driver #9-Kasey Kahne in mid-August, with at least part of the team remaining in Dodge livery for the time being. Published reports this week claimed the team will begin fielding Toyotas for Kahne at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11, but an RPM source speaking on the condition of anonymity tells Sirius Speedway that the change will not happen until team officials are able to hammer out a financial settlement with their current manufacturer. “Dodge owes the team a ton of money, and they’re trying to negotiate some kind of settlement right now,” said one source. “Until that’s done, the team cannot make a move. Once the settlement is signed, you’ll see Kasey Kahne in a Toyota.” RPM’s familiar #43 – driven by Reed Sorenson – will remain in Dodge livery for the foreseeable future. A decision on future manufacturer affiliations for the #19 and #44 cars -- driven by Elliott Sadler and AJ Allmendinger – is pending.(Sirius Speedway)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE 3 - denied: Been told by sources within Richard Petty Motorsports that there are no plans to switch manufacturers with any of their Sprint Cups teams in 2009.(6-23-2009)
UPDATE 4: sources inside the walls at RPM say plans have been made to field Toyota Camrys for Kasey Kahne beginning in mid-August, as soon as team officials finalize a financial settlement package with Dodge. Those negotiations have reportedly taken a sudden turn in recent days, though, with the possibility now existing for Kahne and his RPM teammates to remain in the Dodge camp, after all.(Sirius Speedway)(6-23-2009)
- Kahne wins at Infineon: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway for his 1st win of 2009, 1st road course win and the 10th win of his career. Kahne's previous best road course finish was 14th, twice at Watkins Glen. It was Kahne's first win since Pocono last June, 37 races ago. The race was a green-white-checkered finish after a late race caution. #14-Stewart finished second followed by #47-Ambrose, #48-Johnson, #11-Hamlin, #42-Montoya, #44-Allmendinger, #33-Bowyer, #24-Gordon and #19-Sadler. Pole sitter #83-Vickers finished 16th after leading the first 17 laps. There were 7 cautions for 20 laps and there were 10 lead changes among 8 drivers.
For race results, awards and more, see my Infineon Race Results Page.
For drivers and owners points standings, see the Drivers/Owners Points Standings.(6-21-2009)
- RPM owner sells NHL team: George N. Gillett Jr [owner of Richard Petty Motorsports #'s 9,19,43,44] and Geoff Molson announced that they have reached an agreement in principle for the sale of the Gillett family's interests in the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club, the Bell Centre and Gillett Entertainment Group. They will hold a news conference as soon as the agreement is finalized.(NHL.com)(6-21-2009)
- Kahne tests a modifield at Bristol: On Monday, June 8th, there were 19 Modifieds testing at Bristol Motor Speedway in preparation for the August debut of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at the half-mile mile facility. Both Northern and Southern Tour teams are on hand. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver #9-Kasey Kahne was on-hand, and not as a spectator. Kahne is hopping behind the wheel of the Troyer house car. Rob Fuller took laps in the #96 H&H ride before Kahne arrived. Kasey Kahne was eighth fastest with a speed of 15.371 in the Troyer House car. Talk at the track is that Kahne will drive the car in the Bristol Mod race in August.(Speed51.com)(6-9-2009)
- RPM lays off nine employees, heading to Toyota?: Richard Petty Motorsports has laid off nine employees and reduced salaries throughout the organization, a byproduct of Chrysler's bankruptcy filing. A person familiar with the moves tells The Associated Press that RPM officials are anticipating significant cutbacks from Dodge. Chrysler is Dodge's parent company, and the automaker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month. Team co-owner Richard Petty has said the bankruptcy filing slowed the money flow from Dodge over the past few weeks. RPM fields cars for #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler, #43-Reed Sorenson and #44-AJ Allmendinger. The team has funded Allmendinger's car largely out of pocket all season. RPM is in the final year of its contract with Dodge, and the team is widely believed to be trying to negotiate a switch to Toyota in 2010. The team made a move in that direction late Monday by partnering with Braun Racing, a Toyota team, for five Nationwide Series races beginning with next month's event at Daytona. RPM gave no indication what brand, Dodge or Toyota, its drivers will use in the five races with Braun.(Associated Press)(6-8/9-2009)
- Dodge support "on hold" Team owner Richard Petty says the Chrysler bankruptcy has put cash flow from the manufacturer to the Richard Petty Motorsports organization he co-owns with George Gillett "in a holding pattern." From the point of view of the Dodge Motorsports program, however, the commitment to racing is undiminished. "They've stopped everything," Petty said in the garage at Dover International Speedway this past weekend. "They went into bankruptcy, and they're sort of in a floating stage right now. They're trying to see where they come out of this at. If they've got new people running the show, are they still going to continue to back everything exactly like they are, or whatever? They're in a holding pattern right now. I think GM's that way -- I don't know about Ford -- and I know Chrysler's that way. The rest of them I don't know. I don't deal with them." Walter Czarnecki, vice chairman of Penske Racing, which has three Dodge teams, said the legal proceedings also have held up payments to his organization. "In the legal procedure, you have to file what's called a 'Cure Letter' that lists all the things that you are owed. And when it's submitted and approved, they'll pay. We have money that was due April 30 that has not been received yet and probably won't be received for several weeks." Mike Accavitti, director of brand marketing and strategy for Chrysler, acknowledged the reorganization has affected the flow of cash from Chrysler but affirmed the company remains committed to Cup racing and that at-track services provided to the teams continue to be available.(NASCAR.com/Sporting News)(6-2-2009)
- Kahne to run new Dodge engine at Dover: #9-Kasey Kahne will break in Dodge's new engine for Richard Petty Motorsports next weekend at Dover International Speedway. RPM has been slow in introducing the new R6P8 engine that the other Dodge organization, Penske Racing, has used all season. Vice president of racing operations Robbie Loomis said last month that the engine would be used at Dover, but he wasn't sure which of RPM's four drivers would use it. Kahne was selected because officials are confident in the engine's durability and believe the added horsepower will help propel the driver into the Chase. Kahne is 16th in points, 66 out of the top 12 that make the Chase, heading into Sunday's 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600. "We feel where we're at he has a good chance at the Chase," Loomis said. "More than anything we want the performance." #44-A.J. Allmendinger and #19-Elliott Sadler are 25th and 26th, respectively, in points. #43-Reed Sorenson is 23rd.(ESPN)(5-24-2009)
- “The King” and “King of Beers” Drive Home Responsible Drinking Message: “The King” and the “King of Beers” hope adult race fans cheering on their favorite NASCAR drivers will make responsible choices before the green flag waves. Richard Petty, the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR, and Anheuser-Busch announced today they are teaming up on a new Budweiser responsibility campaign aimed at reminding fans to use a designated driver. The new campaign is being launched nationwide this week in time for Sunday’s NASCAR race in Charlotte. “Racing is about winning, and we think it’s important to remind fans that everyone wins by choosing a designated driver,” said Petty. “We’re very excited to work with Anheuser-Busch to help make sure everyone gets home safely on race day and anytime their activities include alcohol.” The campaign materials read, “Designated Drivers…Preferred By Kings Everywhere,” and include the text, “The King of the Road and the King of Beers remind you to choose a designated driver. Two out of three American adults have been or used a designated driver. Thanks for making sure everyone gets home safely.”
“It’s truly an honor for us to partner with Richard on this important message to race fans,” stated Carol Clark, Anheuser-Busch’s vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Choosing a designated driver is a sure route to victory lane.”(Elevation Group)(5-23-2009)
- Reddin quits as RPM's CEO: Tom Reddin has resigned as chief executive officer at Richard Petty Motorsports, multiple team sources told ESPN.com on Friday. Foster Gillet, son of team owner George Gillet, will oversee day-to-day operations, effective immediately, team sources confirmed. Reddin joined RPM just prior to the start of the 2008 season, overseeing the organization's four Sprint Cup Series teams. The team's management had come under fire of late in the wake of poor performance and the residual frustration from its driving corps. Reddin wasn't immediately available for comment. Reddin came to RPM from LendingTree, where he was also CEO.(ESPN.com)(5-15-2009)
- Richard Petty Motorsports will hold a Fan Appreciation autograph session on Friday, May 22 at the team’s race shop in Statesville N.C. Five hundred custom-made, collectible tickets will be distributed at 10 a.m. the day of the event. At 11 a.m. each ticket holder will receive an autograph from drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, AJ Allmendinger, Reed Sorenson as well as team co-owner Richard Petty.
The event will also include a radio remote from Sirius NASCAR radio, team show cars, behind the scenes look at the team shops, driver fan club displays, as well as a take home gift for each person that receives one of the commemorative tickets. The team museum and gift shop will open at 8 a.m. the day of the event. Richard Petty Motorsports is located at 320 Aviation Dr, Statesville, NC 28677, near the Statesville Regional Airport. If you are traveling from I-77, take I-40 West toward Hickory/Asheville to Exit 146, Stamey Farm Road. Turn left at the top of the ramp and cross over I-40. Go straight at the stop sign, and make the first left onto Aviation Drive.(5-8-2009)
- RPM plans to use new Dodge engine: Richard Petty Motorsports plans to switch to the new Dodge engine in time for the May 31 race at Dover, vice president of race operations Robbie Loomis said Tuesday. Loomis said only one of the organization's four drivers likely will use the R6P8 that the other Dodge organization, Penske Racing, has used all season. A decision on which driver will use it will be made in the upcoming weeks. #9-Kasey Kahne could get the nod if the organization believes the engine will help get him back into the top 12 to qualify for the Chase. RPM's marquee driver is 17th in points after Saturday night's 29th-place finish at Richmond. If not Kahne, then #44-A.J. Allmendinger (28th), #19-Elliott Sadler (29th) or #43-Reed Sorenson (22nd) will get the engine. "We talked about using it for the All-Star race or maybe the [Coca-Cola 600]," Loomis said of the upcoming races at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "It's just risk versus reward. We were not comfortable bringing it out in the 600." Loomis said RPM is about a month behind the planned schedule to introduce the engine. He said the process was slowed when the organization committed to Allmendinger beyond the first five races, noting that engineers who might have spent time on the R6P8 had to build engines for an additional car. Loomis said the lack of horsepower with the old engine has been obvious, particularly at Talladega Superspeedway, where RPM's top driver qualified 35th.(ESPN.com)(5-5-2009)
- Kahne set at RPM thru 2010 UPDATE: #9-Kasey Kahne Open Interview - Dodge Motorsports Transcript:
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW AT RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS? ARE YOU HAPPY? ARE YOU EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS? [Kahne] “I’m definitely not exploring other options. I have another year with Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gillett’s have been good to me since I came here. I made a commitment to them to race thru 2010, so I’ll do that for sure. I’ve told them from the start that if we can get our cars to where they’re right and we’re competitive with the best teams out here, then I don’t know why I’d ever want to move from that company. I like the people (at RPM). From the guys building the race cars in the shop, the engine guys to the guys painting the cars, I have a good relationship with everybody. For me to leave, I wouldn’t want to, but at the same time, I want to get a chance in some really good equipment too. I think that we’re working on that. If we get there, I’ll stay with RPM for a long time.”
WOULD YOU SAY THAT WOULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR?
“Yeah, that’s my only factor. At the end of the day, I grew up racing Sprint cars and driving for my dad. When I had a chance to drive for Steve Lewis, it was a no-brainer. He had the best equipment that there was and I took it and we won a ton of races and basically nobody’s done that since in USAC as far as the Midget series goes or before. I just feel like that at some point, I want that opportunity and hopefully it can be right where we are at.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(4-17-2009)
UPDATE: Rumors persist that #9-Kasey Kahne is exploring options outside of Richard Petty Motorsports even though he has one year left on his contract. It began with rumors that his primary sponsor, Budweiser, was stepping away after this season. The beer company knocked that one down in a hurry. Kahne did his best to dispel speculation that he is looking last weekend at Phoenix.
"I'm definitely not exploring other options," he said. "I have another year with Richard Petty Motorsports. The Gilletts have been good to me since I came here. I made a commitment to them to race through 2010, so I'll do that for sure." Beyond that? "I've told them from the start that if we can get our cars to where they're right and we're competitive with the best teams out here then I don't know why I'd ever want to move from that company," Kahne said. "For me to leave, I wouldn't want to, but at the same time I want to get a chance in some really good equipment too. We're working on that. If we get there, I'll stay with RPM for a long time."(ESPN)(4-25-2009)
- Gillette could sell NHL team, could race team be next? UDPATE: denied There are no indications yet that the financial troubles apparently plaguing George Gillett will force him to sell part or all of his interest in Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). ESPN.com reported on Monday that the 24-time Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens owned by Gillett could be sold in order for Gillett to divest some of his properties. Gillett also is the majority owner or RPM, the English Premier League soccer team Liverpool as well as several ski and golf clubs.
Two people close to RPM and its ownership are not aware of any plans to put the Sprint Cup organization on shopping block. That doesn't mean it couldn't change as the economy worsens. Gillett purchased Evernham Motorsports from then-owner Ray Evernham two years ago and renamed it Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Evernham still is a minority owner. Gillett recently purchased Petty Enterprises owned by seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty and renamed it RPM.(ESPN Insider)(3-24-2009)
UPDATE: Montreal Canadiens majority owner George N. Gillett Jr. Thursday vehemently denied that his hockey club is for sale, contradicting a rumored Forbes magazine report that ultimately never was published. The Colorado resident's finances have been ripe for speculation in recent days. His cash flow and debt load have been scrutinized in several published reports, especially related to his co-ownership of the Premier League's Liverpool Football Club. "The Montreal Canadiens club has never been for sale," Gillett said. "We have never prepared documents, materials. (I have) never authorized anyone, never prepared materials to that end. I'm angry that I need to keep denying (that the club is for sale)."(Yahoo Sports)(3-26-2009)
- Budweiser to leave NASCAR? #9 car? UPDATE Denied: Now comes word that one of NASCAR’s longest running sponsors and one many fans consider synonymous with the sport is pulling out. Budweiser had already dropped their official status in 2008 after 9 years. Anheuser-Busch was also a longtime sponsor of the sports most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Junior having sponsored the driver from his debut in 1999 until his defection to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. It was in 2008 that Bud moved their sponsorship to Gillette-Evernham Motorsports and driver #9-Kasey Kahne [supposedly thru 2010]. Belgian company Inbev purchased Anheuser-Busch [Budweiser] in July of last year, a controversial and unpopular move. Since then the company has been trimming staff and divisions. In December last year the company laid off some 1000 workers or about 6% of its total workforce. And there is talk that when done the layoffs could total up to 15 percent of the total workforce. The company is also rumored to be seeking a buyer for its theme parks, which include Sea World and Busch Garden properties and significantly scaling back their presences in sports. In motorsports Anheuser-Busch recently announced that they would be ending a 30-year partnership with the NHRA’s Kenny Bernstein. First as a driver and more recently as a team owner, Bernstein has won six championships under the Bud colors. A source confirmed that Budweiser’s decisions concerning the NHRA and going forward would be made to redirect dollars to a non-sports-enthusiast audience. Add to that the fact that over the winter, the Gillette-Evernham team merged with Petty Enterprises to form Richard Petty Racing. The Petty family has always been staunchly against sponsorship from any type of alcoholic beverage maker to the point of refusing to display contingency stickers when one of their teams won a ‘Bud Pole” award. Combined with the economy, the new Anheuser-Busch corporate philosophy and the Petty family legacy 2009 will most likely be the last one for Budweiser.(NASCAR Examiner)(3-18-2009)
UPDATE: #9-Kasey Kahne says Anheuser-Busch appears committed to him and the Sprint Cup series even though the beer company on Monday ended its sponsorship with the NHRA and Kenny Bernstein Racing. "We have another year with Budweiser," Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge, said during a Wednesday tire test at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "They've been great to work with. They've been my favorite sponsor I've ever had. I hope we do things to keep them happy and keep impressing them and keep working with them for a long time."
Dan McHugh, vice president of media, sponsorship and activation for Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement: "Budweiser remains committed to its presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including sponsorship of Kasey Kahne and the #9 Budweiser Dodge, as well as the Budweiser Shootout." The St. Louis-based division of Anheuser-Busch ended a 30-year relationship with Bernstein's NHRA team. The brewery said the relationship was the longest in motorsports history, topping STP's 28-year relationship with Richard Petty. "I'm disappointed to see the Bernsteins without a sponsor," Kahne said. Budweiser has been a longtime partner of NASCAR, with its most visible years under Dale Earnhardt Jr. before he left Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports two years ago.(ESPN)(3-19-2009)
- Teams looking for sponsors: The most important part of Sunday's Auto Club 500 was not what happened on the track but what took place in the garage, the suites and elsewhere. Some teams had prospective sponsors at Auto Club Speedway as they look to find additional funding. Teams looking for sponsors range from Roush Fenway Racing to Richard Petty Motorsports to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and others. Richard Petty Motorsports is trying to find sponsorship for #44-AJ Allmendinger beyond the nine races it has for him this season. De Cordell, chief sales and marketing officer, says the team also is looking for a primary sponsor for about six races on #43-Reed Sorenson's car and a major associate sponsor for #9-Kasey Kahne. Cordell said the team had two potential sponsors at Sunday's race, including one that came about after RPM's Daytona 500 performance where it placed three of its four cars in the top 10.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing continues to search for sponsorship for #8-Aric Almirola and #1-Martin Truex Jr. Steve Lauletta, team president, says Almirola has sponsorship for about 10 races. Lauletta says Truex needs to add a sponsor for about six races. Lauletta said the team received two calls about prospective sponsors this week after the Daytona 500 where Truex won the pole, and had a couple of potential sponsors at the race. The team also is planning to announce a sponsorship agreement next week between its NASCAR teams and car owner Chip Ganassi's IndyCar program. Lauletta estimates the team worked on that deal for 14 months.
Roush Fenway Racing also is looking for future sponsorship and benefited from Matt Kenseth's victory at Daytona. While the organization has primary sponsors for all five cars, each of those sponsors are open to joining other companies on the cars, says Robin Johnson, executive vice president, business development for Roush Fenway Racing.(Roanoke Time)(2-23-2009)
- Kyle Busch joins Gillette Young Guns: With the NASCAR season ready to roll, Gillette announced that Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota will be the newest member to its star-studded Gillette Young Guns lineup, which includes Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman [Kyle replaces his brother Kurt]. During the off-season, Busch was welcomed to the Gillette Young Guns team when he participated in a two-day ad shoot to support the launch of the gaming-inspired Gillette Fusion Power Gamer, which features Fusion’s 5-bladed shaving surface for unsurpassed comfort and a sleek new look. The spot, titled “Jumbotron,” was created by BBDO NY, features all six Gillette Young Guns. Airing for the first time during the FOX telecast of the Daytona 500, “Jumbotron” follows the Gillette Young Guns as they attempt to sneak into the race track and play video games from atop a motorcoach.(Gillette Young Guns PR)(2-7-2009)
- Evernham announces plans: Ray Evernham has been long known for his leadership atop the pit box of NASCAR stars like Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne, guidance of Dodge's return to NASCAR racing and technological innovation that changed the sport. Evernham announced that he officially is passing the torch on race team entrepreneurship to new team owners like Tony Stewart and Tommy Baldwin. He will now focus his attention on broadcasting, preserving racing venues for future generations, helping develop young drivers and setting new records. "I'm proud of the accomplishments I've achieved with my colleagues and partners over more than two decades in racing, from the early days in IROC to the championship years with Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon to leading Dodge's return to NASCAR as a team owner," said Evernham. "It has been an amazing journey, and I've been fortunate to work with some incredible people and gain invaluable experience throughout the years." Evernham is relinquishing his leadership role at Richard Petty Motorsports to pursue new Ray Evernham Enterprises Museumopportunities in motorsports, from grassroots racing to NASCAR and beyond. He is focusing his short-term efforts on establishing Ray Evernham Enterprises, broadcasting races for ESPN, managing East Lincoln Speedway, opening a new museum and entertainment facility in Mooresville, NC, (shown at right), helping develop young drivers and designing racecars for several key events. "I'm not retiring from racing or putting NASCAR on a back burner," he noted. "I'm committed to the growth and success of the sport overall, and to building championship teams and organizations in many different levels of racing in the future. I spent my first decade in racing driving and working on racecars. My next decade I went from a rookie crew chief to a NASCAR champion. My third decade I had the opportunity to lead a manufacturer back into the sport and own a team. Who knows what my fourth decade in the sport will hold?" Evernham will continue his duties in the booth for ESPN with co-hosts Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty and Alan Bestwick for a number of NASCAR races throughout the season. He also will be at the ESPN Studios on Mondays as a host of "NASCAR Now".(Victory Management Group)(1-29-2009)
- GEM is now RPM: At the top of Richard Petty's list of deal-breakers when merger talks began between Petty Enterprises and Gillett Evernham Motorsports was to keep the Petty name in the title of the new company. He got his wish. The fourth Sprint Cup organization will be known as Richard Petty Motorsports and keep basically the same blue-and-red logo that symbolized Petty Enterprise for the past 60 years. "We come out to let the world know we're still in the racing business and we're going to be bigger and better than we've ever been," Petty said Monday during an unveiling of the new logo on the first day of NASCAR's Media Tour. Petty also asked that the #44 be kept along with the famous #43 in the transaction. The #44 will replace the #10 as the fourth car that belonged to GEM. AJ Allmendinger will drive in the first five races and is slated to run at least seven in the #44, a number the Pettys reclaimed from Michael Waltrip Racing after this past season. The #44 was driven by Kyle Petty until he switched to the #45 in 2000 in memory of his son, Adam, who was killed driving that number during a Nationwide Series practice session. The #44 was used sparingly by the Pettys from 2000 to 2003, and then was transferred to MWR in 2007 for Dale Jarrett. Petty said Budweiser, which sponsors Kasey Kahne and had logos on the other GEM cars prior to the merger, will not be on the 43 or 44. It has been a Petty tradition going back to Richard's mother not to have alcohol-related sponsors on the cars. "My mother would come back and haunt us home," Petty said of what would happen if Budweiser showed on up the 43 or 44.(ESPN)(1-19-2009)
- Loomis to run racing operations at GEM-Petty: Robbie Loomis will serve as the executive director of racing operations for the team that will emerge from the merger of Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings, and Kevin Buskirk and Sammy Johns will join existing GEM crew chiefs Kenny Francis and Mike Shiplett atop the pit boxes. All four crew chiefs will report to former Petty executive Loomis, according to GEM Director of Competition Mark McArdle. McArdle believes the planned merger and the realigned staff will help his team. Just having Richard Petty and longtime wrenchman Dale Inman at the team’s test last Friday in Rockingham, N.C., at the old North Carolina Motor Speedway was a plus, McArdle said. Loomis, who reports to McArdle, will oversee the race teams, pit crews, team management and team transport, and he ran the Rockingham test.
The merger and other departures have resulted in several changes at GEM with only Kahne and Kenny Francis remaining as the same driver-crew chief combination as last year. Kahne’s #9 team has had the fewest changes. Francis remains as crew chief. Keith Rodden returns as the team engineer after a one-season absence from the road, replacing engineer Chad Johnson, who moved to Michael Waltrip Racing. Todd Devinich remains the car chief.
On Sadler’s #19 car, Buskirk, most recently of Dale Earnhardt Inc., will be the crew chief in a reunion of sorts since he was the lead engineer for Sadler when he made the Chase at Robert Yates Racing in 2004. Kevin Kidd returns as the team engineer, while Wally Rogers, a former Kevin Harvick Inc. employee who joined GEM as its Nationwide Series crew chief in September 2008, will be the car chief. McArdle says most of that team has changed. He said he didn’t want to lose crew chief Rodney Childers, who opted to move to Michael Waltrip Racing and work with David Reutimann.
On Sorenson’s #43 car, Shiplett enters his second year as a crew chief after spending last season with the #10 team, mostly with drivers Patrick Carpentier and AJ Allmendinger. Phil Surgen will be the race engineer, and Tony Lunders will be the car chief. Surgen worked with Shiplett last year, while Lunders was with the #19 team last season. Many members of the #19 team from last year are now working on the #43 car, McArdle said.
Johns, who had been GEM’s executive director of operations for the shop, will work with the fourth team and likely with driver AJ Allmendinger. Although GEM hasn’t announced Allmendinger’s hiring, Johns and Allmendinger will be working together at a Goodyear test on Tuesday and Wednesday at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Wolf will be lead engineer and Brian Dantinne moves from research and development to the role of car chief. In other changes, McArdle will take over the supervision of the engine department, while Tommy Wheeler will delve more into research and development. He will focus on the building of the race cars. As far as engines, McArdle said the team would not use the new Dodge engine until later in the season.(SceneDaily)(1-13-2009)
- Petty & Gillett Evernham Motorsports Announce Agreement To Merge: Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) and Petty Holdings announced an agreement in principle to form a new NASCAR Sprint Cup team co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings, owned by majority shareholder Boston Ventures, and Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The team will field four Dodge entries in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Details of the transaction are expected once the deal is closed. Petty and GEM officials anticipate a final agreement by the end of January. Some notes:
* The new team plans to run a fourth Dodge in eight races in the 2009 season including the Budweiser Shootout with additional races contingent on sponsorship.
* Ray Evernham retains a minority ownership role with the new team.
* Richard Petty and Petty Holdings will continue to own and operate the Richard Petty Driving Experience as an independent entity.
* Key Petty employees Robbie Loomis, Dale Inman and Brian Moffitt will also have active roles with the new team.
* The new team will use the GEM race shops in Statesville, N.C. and engine shop in Concord, N.C.
* GEM and Petty sponsors will continue with the new organization.(Gillett Evernham PR)(1-8-2009)
- Dodge: smaller budget, less team, high hopes: Although it will have fewer cars on the track and fewer promotional displays in cutting 30 percent of its NASCAR budget, Dodge has not cut back its Sprint Cup research and development for the 2009 season. The automaker hopes that even with fewer cars, it will have better results after a season where it failed to put a car in the Chase For The Sprint Cup. With Chip Ganassi Racing’s merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc. eliminating three Cup teams from where Dodge started in 2008, Dodge has at least one fewer organization to support in 2009. Dodge could end up with only six cars next season if the pending Gillett Evernham Motorsports-Petty Enterprises merger eliminates two more from the manufacturer’s stable, which also included Robby Gordon in 2008. That leaves three cars at Penske Racing [#2,#12,#77] and three or four at the GEM-Petty consolidation [#9,#10?,#19,#43]. “You want to have a portfolio of drivers that can at any given time deliver a top-five or a victory,” said Mike Accavitti, director of the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brands. “We feel with the lineup that we have remaining that we can do that. … The seven cars that we have – or eight cars or six cars or whatever it ends up to be – will be sufficient. We can give Dodge customers a good show. We can give NASCAR fans a good show and we can represent the brand well.” Accavitti said that his budget was set and would not get increased by the authorization of the bridge loan for Chrysler. He said it will remain at 30% below 2008, just as it was planned prior to President George W. Bush’s approval of the loan last month. “The entire operation was contingent upon the bridge loans being passed,” he said. “It was a critical element for the viability of our company and we’re very appreciative to have that behind us and be able to move forward."(SceneDaily)(1-8-2009)
- NO news on the GEM-Petty merger UPDATE: The expected Petty Enterprises-Gillett Evernham Motorsports merger likely won’t be announced Monday, and the Petty Enterprises shop was fairly quiet. There were only about 15 cars parked in the Petty parking lot Monday morning. Sources have indicated that the team has laid off most of its employees. It is expected that the two teams will merge, with Petty’s famed #43 car joining the GEM stable. With the #43 car guaranteed a spot in the first five races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and GEM’s #10 not guaranteed a position [but could move up with 2-3 others teams dropping out due to the Ganassi-DEI merger and BDR sell], the #43 could be driven by Reed Sorenson, who has already signed to drive for GEM. GEM also could face a lawsuit over its driver stable. Elliott Sadler, who reportedly has been dropped in favor of AJ Allmendinger, has filed a notice with North Carolina Superior Court in Statesville, N.C., that claims that GEM breached its contract with Sadler. GEM spokesman Drew Brown said Monday the company has no comment on the legal filing and that no announcements were planned for today [Monday].(SceneDaily)(1-6-2009)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises cars were in the wind tunnel just a week before the organization’s officials told employees they would be laid off and that the team shop was shutting down, according to crew chief Stewart Cooper. Cooper, who was crew chief for the organization’s #45 Sprint Cup car for much of last season, said he wasn’t bitter with the way things ended at Petty. He said virtually all of the remaining 38 employees were laid off, with only Petty Enterprises Executive Vice President Robbie Loomis and a couple of others remaining. The organization is expected to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, with an announcement expected as early as this week. “As of [early] last week we were working as if we were going to Daytona. … I really feel like it’s nobody’s fault,” Cooper said Tuesday night. “It’s just the way the dice fell this time. [Those of us laid off] will have to work through it and move on.” Cooper said he didn’t expect himself nor many of the former Petty employees to get hired by the new team, which is expected to work out of the Gillett Evernham shop in Statesville, N.C. “I left [my status] up to Robbie Loomis,” Cooper said. “I didn’t have any major conversations with Robbie about it. I really don’t think they’re going to take too many people up there. They had a full staff anyway [at GEM]."(SceneDaily)(1-7-2009)
- Evernham still wants a role in NASCAR: Ray Evernham called "The Morning Drive" on Sirius NASCAR Radio this past week after his name came up Monday [12-29] while we [Mike Bagley & David Poole] were talking about the reports that Elliott Sadler will be replaced by AJ Allmendinger in the #19 Dodges next season at Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Evernham no longer has a major day-to-day role in the team he ran after leaving Hendrick Motorsports as Jeff Gordon's crew chief to help Dodge come back to big-time NASCAR competition. He sold most of his interest into the team to George Gillett and his family and has scaled back more and more over the past couple of years. Evernham wanted to make sure it was clear that he's not down on NASCAR or racing. Evernham wants to be involved in racing. But as a team owner, he discovered that was a job he wasn't going to be able to do at a level he could feel good about. Evernham doesn't have a "good enough" switch. You're talking about a guy whose work as [Jeff] Gordon's crew chief help redefined the way Cup teams compete. Evernham and his "Rainbow Warriors" changed the game, helping bring specialization and a level of attention to detail the sport had never seen before. By the time they were done, Evernham and Gordon had three championships together and Evernham had established himself as one of the sport's greatest all-time crew chiefs. Evernham said Tuesday that "it will probably always haunt me" that he didn't win a championship as a team owner, but he's proud of what he helped build at GEM. He's not sure he agrees with everything that's being done there now, but he also said that it's no longer his call. As for the situation with Sadler and Allmendinger, there wasn't much he could say. That's pretty much what has been going on with that story since it first surfaced over the weekend. Sadler signed a contract extension in May and my [Poole] hunch is that as lots of people wearing suits and carrying briefcases are discussing all of that everybody involved has been told to remain quiet until everybody's as happy as they're going to be.
If I wanted to hype something Evernham said, I could use this quote: "When I left as a crew chief I said the only way I would come back in that job is to be Jeff Gordon's crew chief again." But that's not Evernham angling for Steve Letarte's job. It just means that Evernham isn't going to be a crew chief again just for the sake of having that title. For right now, Evernham is working on getting East Lincoln Speedway -- the short track he recently bought -- ready for a new season. He even got denim overalls, which is apparently the official working uniform of that track, for the job. See full story at Charlotte Observer.(1-1-2009)
2008 News
- Petty-GEM merger done deal? UPDATE: Multiple sources have confirmed that Petty Enterprises racing will shut its doors and merge with the team currently known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports. A deal was inked between Petty Enterprises and team owner George Gillett on Christmas Eve, but the terms of that agreement have yet to be divulged. The venerable #43 Dodge covered with the trademarked Petty blue glaze will become part of the Gillett stable with Reed Sorenson expected to be behind the wheel. A formal announcement is expected early next week. Most of the remaining 39 employees at Petty Enterprises will conclude their duties at the Mooresville-based shop on Wednesday. The company moved from its original shop adjacent to the Petty homestead in Level Cross, N.C., in January to what was formerly the Yates Racing complex. Robbie Loomis, Petty Executive VP of Racing Operations, is expected to assume a managerial role under the new partnership, which will likely be rebranded under the Petty banner. Former car chief Ray Fox Jr. will assume a similar role at JTG-Daugherty Racing with the #47 team. David Zucker, who was named CEO of the team when private equity firm Boston Ventures purchased controlling interest in June, is expected to be reassigned to the Petty Driving Experience.(FoxSports), no word on what happend to the #10 ride which Sorenson was supposed to drive.(12-31-2008)
UPDATE: Although neither GEM nor Petty officials said an announcement was forthcoming, sources indicated that the organizations were ironing out final details. The merger would entail GEM absorbing Petty's #43 car, which according to sources would be driven by Reed Sorenson and sponsored by the Air Force next season. Chris McKee, marketing director of the Richard Petty Driving Experience, confirmed that David Zucker, current chief operating officer of Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, will oversee only the driving experience once the merger is complete. Zucker was installed as Petty's CEO after team owner Richard Petty earlier this year sold majority interest in his organization to the private equity firm Boston Ventures in a bid to raise capital and improve performance. McKee added that further details of the merger will come next week. Indications are that the name of the merged organization will be altered to reflect Richard Petty's involvement. Richard's father, Lee, founded Petty Enterprises in 1949.
The merger would place four cars under the GEM stable -- the #43, as well as the Nos. 9, 10, and 19 currently in the Gillett-Evernham fleet. Kasey Kahne drives the #9, with A.J. Allmendinger replacing Elliott Sadler in the #19 for next season. No driver has been announced for the #10 car for 2009.(NASCAR.com)(12-31-2008)
- GEM announces new director of sales: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced the hiring of John Cowart as the NASCAR Sprint Cup team’s director of sales. Cowart, 43, will begin his duties with the Statesville, N.C. team effective immediately. “John brings a wealth of motorsports sales experience that will enhance Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ value to our current and future partners,” said De Cordell, GEM chief sales and marketing officer. “We are happy to welcome John and believe he will play a major role in the team’s quest to become the marquee team in motorsports.” Cowart, a Huntersville resident and University of Alabama graduate, said he looks forward to a new challenge. “Gillett Evernham Motorsports offers an opportunity that is challenging and ultimately will be rewarding,” he said. “NASCAR and Gillett Evernham Motorsports allow great brands the opportunity to market their product or service in a unique and interactive environment that connects with its passionate fans and provides a win-win for everyone involved.” Cowart has served in various sales and management capacities throughout the NASCAR industry since the start of the 2000 season. Cowart fills the seat left vacant by the departure of former GEM sales staff member Jim Tucker.(GEM)(12-30-2008)
- Kahne to visit school: During the week before Christmas, while most NASCAR drivers will be enjoying their off-season plans, Kasey Kahne will be reminding teens about the importance of safe driving during the hectic holiday season. As part of the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop program, Kahne will be visiting the junior-class students of East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, N.C., on Thursday, Dec. 18 to remind them that the holiday season is a dangerous time for teen drivers. During the past eight holiday seasons, from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day, there have been over 5,000 teens involved in fatal crashes throughout the United States. In the state of North Carolina alone there have been 172 teens involved in fatal crashes during the same time span. The driver of the #9 Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series will be joined at the event by SPEED TV’s John Roberts. The two will show students a video of NASCAR crashes, participate in a Q&A session and test the students’ driving/racing knowledge during a trivia game. Kahne and Roberts will also highlight how Allstate can help identify the risks that teens take when they get behind the wheel through its Parent-Teen Driving Contract and local Allstate agents. In its final stop of 2008, the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop is a national partnership between Allstate and Gillett Evernham Motorsports to visit schools across the country and promote teen safe driving to teens and their parents. In addition to Kahne’s participation, GEM driver Elliott Sadler and team owner Ray Evernham have also headlined the events throughout the season.(Taylor PR)(12-17-2008)
- Petty-GEM Deal Off? UPDATE denied: Sirius Speedway has learned that the much-discussed merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises has run aground. Anonymous sources say that GEM laid off approximately 50 employees today, and that its Nationwide Series team will either be eliminated or cut back dramatically. In addition, multiple sources say that GEM’s #10 Sprint Cup team and driver Reed Sorenson will also run only a partial schedule. While not commenting on the reported demise of the Petty deal, Gillett Evernham Motorsports CEO Tom Reddin confirmed today that major changes are underway. "We are a Sprint Cup team first and foremost, and winning in that series needs to be our primary focus,” he said. “The Nationwide Series is a fantastic series and we certainly look forward to racing a partial schedule in 2009, but we will not run the full season next year. We will remained focused on putting all of our effort behind the Cup program in 2009. GEM is very fortunate to have nearly all of our Cup sponsors returning in 2009 in addition to the new arrival of others." Reddin said that GEM will also restructure its engine department for 2009, to align with a reduced number of engine leasing customers next season.(Sirius Speedway/Motorsports Soapbox)
AND Over the last week, Gillett Evernham Motorsports released 65 employees between its Nationwide Series team and engine shop. Due to a downturn in the economy and the inability to secure sponsorship, GEM was forced to cease operation of its NNS team on Tuesday. GEM is still in open discussions with Petty Enterprises regarding a possible merger. However, the option of Petty Enterprises not leasing engines in the future led to the company's decision to downsize its engine department by nearly half. The organization will continue to employ nearly 300 workers at its Statesville, N.C. facility and field three teams in the Sprint Cup Series with drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson, who will join the team from Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009.(FoxSports)(12-16-2008)
UPDATE: been told by GEM that the #10 car will run the full Sprint Cup season and that the GEM-Petty merger talks are going well and the deal is NOT off.(12-17-2008)
- Latest on Kahne's Homestead battery charge: Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver #9-Kasey Kahne will have his record cleared provided he performs 50 hours of community service and donates $50 donation to a court charity to resolve a misdemeanor battery charge from Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2007. The court will dismiss the misdemeanor charge against Kahne once he performs his community service, according to Miami-Dade County (Fla.) court records. Such matters are typically resolved with this type of agreement when there is a dispute over the facts and the accused, with no criminal record, prefers to take care of the matter without going to trial. Kahne has maintained his innocence in the matter over whether he pushed security guard Archibald Hutchinson, who was guarding the driver motorhome lot Nov. 16, 2007 during the race weekend at Homestead. Kahne typically does community service as part of his foundation work. Kahne still faces a civil suit in the matter.(SceneDaily)(12-9-2008)
- Petty-GEM merger? UPDATE 4: hearing there could be an announcement as soon as today that Gillett Evernham Motorsports [#9,10,#19] and Petty Enterprises [#43,#45] has merged.(12-4-2008)
UPDATE: SI.com has learned that Petty Enterprises' top operation will not return in 2009. The organization will merge with George Gillett, giving that team its fourth car. No word on the future association with Petty Enterprises and Boston Ventures, although Boston Ventures may maintain some involvement in the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Official announcement of the news could come as early as this afternoon. No word on whether Richard Petty will have an ownership stake as part of the merger agreement.(Sports Illustrated)(12-4-2008)
UPDATE 2: Petty Enterprises is in discussions to merge its storied franchise with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Multiple people familiar with the talks told the AP that the two teams are discussing a deal that would merge Petty's #43 Dodge with GEM to become a four-car operation. They requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing. SI.com first reported Thursday that Petty Enterprises' top operation will not return in 2009. But David Zucker, CEO of Petty Enterprises, said the report was "not accurate."
He would not discuss a potential merger. "We're not going to comment on rumors and speculation," he said. Petty has no full-time sponsorship lined up for next season. The team fields cars for Bobby Labonte, Chad McCumbee and Kyle Petty. Robbie Loomis, vice president of Petty Enterprises, told the AP nothing has changed with the organization, and the team is continuing to talk to potential partners. Drew Brown, a spokesman for GEM, did not immediately return a call for comment.(Associated Press)(12-4-2008)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises remains in discussions with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to merge into a four-car operation, sources told ESPN.com on Thursday. A report by SI.com that the merger would happen and that Petty Enterprises would not return in 2009, according to multiple sources, is premature. Drew Brown, the director of communications at GEM, said the status of the company has not changed and there are no impending announcements. Officials at the office of GEM majority owner George Gillett were surprised by the report. "We're just not going to comment on speculation," Brown said. Should such a merger happen it would shrink the garage by another car, the 45 driven by Kyle Petty, Chad McCumbee and Terry Labonte last season. The #43 of Bobby Labonte would combine with GEM's #9 of Kasey Kahne, #19 of Elliott Sadler and #10 of Reed Sorenson. A merger could also mean the end of NASCAR's most storied organization as it has been known since 1969. Owner and seven-time champion Richard Petty sold majority interest in Petty Enterprises earlier this year to Boston Ventures but maintained the Petty name. It is unclear if a potential merger with GEM would incorporate both parties or if the Petty Driving Experience would be included. News of the SI.com report spread rapidly through the Manhattan banquet room that hosted a Thursday awards luncheon featuring the top 12 drivers from this past season.
GEM has already benefited from the merger of DEI and Ganassi, which will run under General Motors -- Ganassi was a Dodge team -- and use engines prepared by Earnhardt-Childress Racing. The #10 car that was 37th in points will move into the top 35 guaranteed a spot in the field because the two DEI cars lost in the merger have been eliminated from the top 35. The #47 car that will be driven by Marcos Ambrose for JTG-Daugherty moved from 36 to 35. "Everybody will just shift up," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "We will use the top 35 at the track."(ESPN)(12-4-2008)
UPDATE 4: Petty Enterprises released 39 employees on Monday, bringing the total to 65 since the end of the season. A source close to the situation said Petty Enterprises has about 54 employees anxiously waiting to hear whether there will be a merger with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports. "Everybody is still looking for marching orders in what direction we're going in," the source said.
The Pettys have been in negotiations to merge with several teams for months. Two were eliminated when Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates merged last month. The possible merger with GEM would have the famous #43 joining the #9 (Kasey Kahne), #19 (Elliott Sadler) and #10 (Reed Sorenson) of GEM to become a four-car operation. Whether 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte, the current driver of the unsponsored #43, would be a part of that deal remains unclear. Labonte, who signed a long-term deal that included partial ownership with Petty Enterprises earlier this year, has reportedly had talks with DEI-Ganassi about driving the Target-sponsored #41. That could clear the way for AJ Allmendinger, released by Red Bull Racing late this season, to move into the #43. Officials at Petty Enterprises and GEM were not available for comment. Should the merger occur it would be the first time NASCAR has been without Petty Enterprises as it is known today since 1969. Richard Petty sold majority ownership to Boston Ventures earlier this year, but the name of the company and driving school remained the same.(ESPN.com)(12-8-2008)
- Evernham quitting NASCAR to buy a track? UPDATE 2: NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham announced Thursday night in Lincolnton [NC] that he is in advanced negotiations to purchase the East Lincoln Speedway and plans to retire from NASCAR. Evernham and partner Bob Mack of Cornelius-based RPM Group Holdings said they had hoped to have the keys to the speedway in their hands when they appeared at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After-Hours event to make the announcement, but were prevented from doing so as negotiations continued. Evernham said he has already sold off most of his interest in the Gillett-Evernham Motorsports race team and is ending his career with NASCAR. “I want to get back into grassroots racing,” he told the gathering of area community leaders and businesspeople. Contacted by the Times-News Friday morning, current track owner Ralph Nantz said he couldn’t “talk much about it right now,” but confirmed that “serious” negotiations with Evernham were under way. “You might say he is showing some interest,” Nantz said. The East Lincoln Speedway has been in operation since 1991 and is a 3/8 mile clay oval track.(Lincoln Times-News), no word if Evernham will be back with ESPN in 2009.(11-22-2008)
UPDATE: Cup team co-owner Ray Evernham has completed his deal to purchase East Lincoln Speedway and said that might not be the last track he buys. “I will try to save race tracks to keep them from becoming shopping malls,” Evernham said on Sirius NASCAR Radio.(Charlotte Observer)(12-1-2008)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham has announced that he has acquired the assets of the East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, NC from founders Ralph and Joanne Nantz. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The East Lincoln Speedway is a 3/8 mile dirt track located on Mariposa Road in Lincoln County, NC. The facility was built by the Nantzes and opened for racing in 1990. The 2009 season will mark its 19th consecutive year of racing. The Speedway runs various classes of cars ranging from Micro-sprints to Late Model Modified-Sportsman. Evernham, whom motorsports media voted "The Greatest Crew Chief of All Time", won three Sprint Cup championships as Jeff Gordon's crew chief and led Dodge in its re-entry into NASCAR. He remains a minority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports and is a motorsports analyst for ESPN. "When I sold the majority interest in Evernham Motorsports to George Gilllett in 2007, one of my goals was to find ways to give back to the sport and help up-and-coming drivers find a safe, low-cost way to race," said Evernham. "Unfortunately, rising property values and land development have taken away many of the great dirt tracks around the country. With the acquisition of the East Lincoln Speedway, I can make sure that racers in the Charlotte area will have access to a safe, low-cost, family friendly racing facility for many years to come." The transaction was negotiated by Bob Mack, who will also be a minority owner of the speedway. About The East Lincoln Speedway: The East Lincoln Speedway is a 3/8 mile red clay track located off Mariposa Road in Lincoln County, NC. The track typically operates from April through September and racing is held on Saturday evenings. Admission is typically $10 for adults, children under 10 are free. Pit admission is $20. The track is available for rental during the week and has been used in the filming of several movies and commercials. For more information, see the track website at www.elspeedway.com.(Victory Management Group PR)(12-3-2008)
- Evernham selling interest in GEM: A fan approached Ray Evernham at the SEMA Show on Wednesday and asked what driver Reed Sorenson will bring to Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. "I'm not getting a new driver," Evernham said. "Gillett Evernham is getting a new driver. I'm not really involved there." Evernham's role as the minority owner at GEM has been reduced to almost nothing since June. Soon his minority ownership will be reduced to almost nothing as plans are in the works to buy out most of his remaining 20% interest in the organization he formed in 2001. "We're working on that and hope to make some announcement shortly about where I'm going to be doing for the rest of my racing career," Evernham said. Evernham hesitates to use the word retirement. He still plans to be actively involved in racing, whether it's through his broadcast career with ESPN or other ventures he working on. He's opening a new shop in the Lake Norman area Charlotte, N.C., that will serve as his headquarters. Does his future include owning another race team? "Let me think about that ... uh, no," he said with a laugh. Does it include a management role, such as the one he was offered with Stewart-Haas Racing? "Let me think about that too . . . uh, no," Evernham said. Evernham doesn't want a role that consumes his life as being an owner and crew chief did. He's enjoying getting back to grassroots racing with the new fuel-injected cars he's building and spending more time with his 16-year-old son.(ESPN.com)(11-7-2008)
- NASCAR nixes GEM's move to Toyota? UPDATE: George Gillett, who bought into Ray Evernham's Dodge-anchor operation last year [now GEM], has made strong overtures to switch to Toyota. But NASCAR officials have apparently nixed any such move, and that could leave the Bill Davis Toyota team in limbo. Davis has talked for more than a year now about looking for a business partner. The Gillett-Evernham operation has been Dodge's chief engineering arm in NASCAR, but Penske may now get that nod, and become the engine supplier to teams like the Pettys. Penske already leases Dodge engines to Robby Gordon. Sources say that Penske, who runs one of the country's largest Toyota dealerships, in Los Angeles, has made overtures about Toyota, and may push for the launch of a satellite Toyota operation next year in order to be prepared for a possible changeover to Toyota in 2010.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-27-2008)
UPDATE: Gillett-Evernham Motorsports has been in talks with nearly every possible team in the garage area looking to merge including Bill Davis Racing, which is down to a one car, non-sponsored team since Caterpillar is leaving the #22 for Richard Childress Racing. From what I [Pete Pistone] have been able to gather, the report that NASCAR vetoed a GEM-BDR merger and a complete switch to Toyota is false. The stumbling block in all of this is the status of Dodge and Chrysler and the future of the struggling company. If the manufacturer can't live up to its promise of supplying engines and support to GEM, its flagship Cup organization, the team needs to know that and make a move ASAP. But whether Toyota wants to support another team and a possible additional three cars is another question. Regardless, NASCAR has no say in what the teams and manufacturers decide to do.(CBS Sports)(10-31-2008) Comment here
- GEM on the verge..to Toyota? George Gillett [GEM], who with minority owner Ray Evernham (20%, perhaps to shrink to 10) has been Dodge’s anchor in NASCAR, is on the verge of making a deal to run Toyotas next season. That would put #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Reed Sorensen in the Toyota camp.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND could an announcement of a Gillett/Bill Davis Racing [#22-Dave Blaney] deal be imminent?(Yahoo Sports)(10-20-2008) Comment here
- Evernham thinking about leaving GEM? UPDATE: Ray Evernham, who has a minority share in Gillett Evernham Motorsports [#9, #10, and #19], said he was not involved in the decision to release rookie Patrick Carpentier. Evernham stressed he's a minority partner in the team and hinted maybe that role could change to not being a part of the team. "That's largely up to the Gillettes,'' Evernham said if he would remain with the team. "I want to help Mr. Gillette, and I'll do whatever I can to help him be successful, but I also want to pursue ... I'm enjoying my life at ESPN. I'm enjoying a little bit of semi-retirement. I want to help as much as I can, but I also want to make sure I have creditability with the viewers and that's important to me.''(Roanoke Times)(10-13-2008)
UPDATE: Tuesday [Oct 14th] on “SIRIUS Speedway” on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, host Dave Moody spoke with Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner Ray Evernham. Evernham talked about the rumor that he is considering reducing his stake in the race team and reports that Gillett Evernham Motorsports is contemplating a manufacturer switch from Dodge to Toyota. On the rumor that he is considering selling part of his stake in Gillett Evernham Motorsports:
Host, Dave Moody: “Randy Lajoie said on Sirius NASCAR Radio last week that you told him you’re considering selling your remaining 20% stake in Gillett Evernham Motorsports to the Gilletts. True?”
Ray Evernham: “We’ve talked about some things with some stuff that they have going on. I do have a percentage stake that Mr. Gillett and I could talk about but a lot of it depends on what his future is and where he’s headed. But that offer is on the table, yes. Not the complete. Just to make me a smaller partner. It was not the complete buyout.”
Moody: “So you’re not going to disappear. You’ll just go from one-fifth to a fraction smaller than one-fifth?”
Evernham: “Correct.”
On reports that Gillett Evernham Motorsports will switch from Dodge to Toyota:
Moody: “There are published reports out there this week that say George Gillett is “99 percent certain” that he’s going to move from Dodge to Toyota next season. To your knowledge, is there truth to that?”
Evernham: “To my knowledge George is talking about several different things and to his credit, as I’ve said before, he’s going to do what he believes it takes to win a championship. And that’s why he purchased the race team. Again, I’m removed from the business side. There are things going on there that I don’t really need to be involved in nor want to be involved in. I try to help George with the competition stuff but George has made it very clear to me and to Dodge and to everybody else that he wants to win a championship. He’s got a good plan for growing this team. The man knows how to win championships if you look at the history with his hockey team. He’s going to do what it takes. I’ve heard a lot of those things just like everybody else but I don’t really have the answer for that.”
Moody: “You are still 20 percent owner of that team. Could something as important as a manufacturer change be done without your knowledge?”
Evernham: “No, it cannot be done without my knowledge. Any kind of business proposition, until it comes time to put something on paper, anybody can talk about anything. But certainly it could not be done without my knowledge.”(SIRIUS Speedway PR)(10-16-2008) Comment here
- Latest Ganassi merger rumor? Petty; GEM to Toyota?Trying to pin down the state of Petty Enterprises, under its new Boston Ventures' management, and the future of the Chip Ganassi operation has been tough enough the last few weeks, but now the speculation of a GM-Chrysler corporate merger has thrown things into a real tizzy. Insiders at both the Petty and Ganassi Dodge camps say there is speculation that the two struggling teams may somehow merge, and that that speculation is fueled by the sense that fellow Dodge owner George Gillett, who has majority interest in Gillett-Evernham-Motorsports, is "99 percent" certain to jump to Toyota. Ray Evernham was Dodge's mainstay in NASCAR racing, making such a move highly unusual. Dodge officials a few weeks ago denied such a change might be coming. One major complication for Dodge teams like Petty's and Ganassi's is that Gillett-Evernham has been a major Dodge engine operation. If Gillett moves to Toyota, then Dodge loses a very big player.(Winston-Salem Journal)(10-12-2008) Comment here
- Robby and investment company headed to court? UPDATE: #7-Robby Gordon claims he's been defrauded in a failed deal with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and wants a judge to excuse a million dollar bill. Gordon's company made a deal to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. According to legal documents, an investment company was hired to make the deal. But Gordon claims the deal went south because it was "fraudulently induced." As a result, Gordon and Co. want the judge to excuse an obligation to pay a $1,013,656 investment fee.(TMZ.com see the documents posted there)(10-2-2008)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon Motorsports and Gillett Evernham Motorsports issued a joint statement today confirming that all issues between them are resolved. As previously announced, the two auto racing firms acknowledged that they acted in good faith in connection with their former merger plans. Recent news reports concerning a lawsuit between RGM and a business broker have suggested that RGM and GEM are in a continuing legal dispute. Those news reports are incorrect. GEM is not a party to RGM's lawsuit, and no claims are being asserted against GEM.(RGM/GEM PR)(10-4-2008)
- Kahne not hurt in crash at Texas: Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne was uninjured Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway after a car he was driving for a private corporate event hit the frontstretch wall coming out of Turn 4. The unidentified passenger in the car was also uninjured, according to TMS officials.(Dallas Morning News)(9-26-2008)
- Gordon-GEM Lawsuit dropped - no merger: Robby Gordon Motorsports and Gillett Evernham Motorsports today announced that they have agreed on terms for the resolution of the issues growing out of their former plan to merge the two teams. Disagreements over the merger led to the recent filing of a lawsuit to have the court determine the parties’ rights under the merger agreement. As part of the resolution, the lawsuit will be dismissed and the merger will not proceed. Management personnel for the two teams acknowledge that there were misunderstandings, but both sides acted in good faith throughout, and in the end it was circumstances beyond their control that caused the merger not to proceed.(RGM/GEM PR)(9-19-2008) Comment here
- Next merger rumor - Ganassi and GEM? Since early July, Ganassi's future existence has been linked to a merger with virtually every multi-car team left in the sport. The car owner had lunch with Michael Waltrip at Daytona; immediately, rumors sprouted up the two were joining forces. Since then, rumors have swirled that anyone from Roger Penske to Robby Gordon was buying Ganassi out, or that the owner was looking to get out of the business altogether. Like Gordon's team, CGRFS is a prime target for any interested owner due to his organization's "locked in" qualifying spots (both are in the Top 35) as well as his race shop's prime real estate. Built in 2004, the top-notch facility was built right next to the Concord airport, and is just a heartbeat away from Charlotte for teams looking to move closer to racing's central hub.
Speculation peaked on Thursday, when multiple sources told SI.com Ganassi was planning to join forces with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Gillett has been looking to add a fourth car since buying a 50% share in Evernham Motorsports last season. Rumored to be brokering a deal to buy Bill Davis Racing this week, negotiations on that side have fallen through. Bill Davis Racing officials had no comment on the process, but all indications are their organization is still up for sale -- just not to GEM. (A spokesman for Gillett Evernham Motorsports said the team won't comment on any merger speculation). That prompted a strong response from Ganassi, who told SI.com he adamantly denies anything's going on with Gillett. Ensuring SI.com he's here to stay in NASCAR for the long haul, Ganassi claimed in an exclusive interview he has no plans to merge with any organization at this moment -- with plans to run his two cars full-time in 2009.(Sports Illustrated)(9-19-2008) Comment here
- GEM to buy BDR? UPDATE denied: According to multiple sources, a deal is in the works for George Gillett, majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, to buy out Bill Davis' Sprint Cup operation — including the #22 team, the Toyota affiliation, Triad Racing Development and their engine shop. While Gillett could not be reached for confirmation, Gillett Evernham Motorsports Vice President and Managing Director of Competition Mark McArdle told FOXSports.com on Sunday that GEM was searching for a fourth car with a spot inside the top 35 in the owners standings. McArdle would not elaborate on which team or any possible terms, but Bill Davis has made it no secret in the garage that he is open to offers. "We're looking forward to having a fourth car next year to help us with our current business plans," said McArdle. "That's where we stand. To get a sponsor, they want to know that you're going to be there to race on Sunday." Although a deal has not yet been finalized, sources say Toyota has approved the plan. Davis will continue to field a Craftsman Truck Series team and add a Nationwide Series program to his High Point, N.C., operation. Davis, who was attending the debut NHRA event at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., could not be reached for comment. Sources in the garage said that Davis' current Cup driver, Dave Blaney, inquired last week about rides for next season.(FoxSports)(9-15-2008)
UPDATE: from a Dodge Motorsports PR:
Q: IN SPITE OF RECENT PUBLISHED REPORTS, CAN YOU PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON DODGE’S DIRECTION IN MOTORSPORTS – IN PARTICULAR NASCAR AND GILLETT EVERNHAM MOTORSPORTS?
Mike Delahanty, Sr. Manager – Dodge Motorsports: I just want to respond to these recent reports regarding Gillett Evernham Motorsports – specifically regarding Bill Davis Racing and speculation that GEM would leave Dodge. It’s nothing but pure speculation. Dodge and Gillett Evernham have a long history that dates to our return to Sprint Cup racing (2001). Dodge and GEM have a long-term contract in place. We plan to continue as partners in NASCAR. We’re aware and have had discussion about GEM’s interest in adding a fourth car, but there’s never been discussion about running anything but a Dodge. Anything beyond that, we classify as pure speculation. We’re pleased to see the turnabout in the competition side at GEM and absolutely look forward to many more Victory Lane celebrations together.”
Q: WHAT ABOUT DODGE’S COMMITMENT TO MOTORSPORTS…HAS IT CHANGED?
MD: I don’t know how many times we have to keep saying it, but we are committed….we have long-term contracts in place…not only with Gillett Evernham, but with Penske Racing…with Petty (Enterprises) and with Chip Ganassi Racing. We’re committed to the sport. We’re committed to these guys…I don’t know how many times we have to repeat it.(Dodge Motorsports PR)(9-17-2008) Comment here
- RGM-GEM Proposed merger may be in jeopardy #7-Robby Gordon said he still wants to merge with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, despite a suit just filed against him by Gillett-Evernham. Gordon, who has been using engines supplied by Gillett-Evernham this season, said he expects to have a legal response in the next few days to the lawsuit filed against him by the Ray Evernham-George Gillett operation that claims a breach of contract on a proposed sale of Gordon's NASCAR operation to Evernham-Gillett. But already there are rumblings in the NASCAR garage over what might be the real story behind the suit: whether Evernham and Gillett don't really want to do that deal with Gordon any more, perhaps because they have a better proposal, or for some other reason.
One key part of the entire situation is Gillett's plan to move his team from its relatively isolated Statesville airport location down much closer to the Charlotte-Concord heart of the sport. Evernham and Gillett haven't been here to explain the situation from their viewpoint, but Gordon said he still wants to do the deal with them. One key to the proposed $20 million deal apparently is a sale of Gordon's shop and real estate -- some prime racing real estate -- to Evernham and Gillett.
There is increasing speculation that Chip Ganassi -- a Dodge team owner like Evernham, Gillett and Gordon -- might also be a potential merger partner with Evernham and Gillett. And Ganassi has prime real estate too, right next to the Concord airport. "Unfortunately I guess you'll have to learn more about all that in our answers to their complaint," Gordon said. "But we have a deal with them, we have a contract that is still in effect. What they have asked -- I wouldn't say it's so much against Robby Gordon, but they have asked for release from the contract. But we've already done so many things together that I don't know if that's possible." Might Evernham and Gillett want to drop the Gordon deal so they can do a deal with someone else? "Maybe that's what the case is, but I'm not privy to that information, so I don't know," Gordon said.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-8-2008)
- GEM sues Robby Gordon: Gillett Evernham Motorsports [#9-Kahne, #10-Carpentier, #19-Sadler] has filed suit against #7-Robby Gordon saying the owner/driver of Robby Gordon Motorsports violated terms of a tentative agreement that would have sold his team to GEM for $23.5 million earlier this year. The deal, agreed to Jan. 29, was pending an audit and other due diligence from GEM, which could have adjusted the price. If the deal had gone through, Gordon would have had a four-year driving contract with GEM that would have paid him $3 million annually plus 45 percent of race winnings as well as insurance and other provisions customary for NASCAR driver agreements – a package likely worth at least $5 million annually. Gordon also could have had a spot on the team’s board of directors. GEM would have acquired Gordon’s shop and property in Charlotte. As part of the agreement, GEM pledged to provide Gordon with all “racing infrastructure” and to support the Gordon’s car “in substantially the same manner in which GEM supports its most supported car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup” for the 2008 season.
Three days after the agreement was signed, GEM and Gordon announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing partnership. At that time, GEM owner George Gillett, in an interview with NASCAR Scene, stated that he did not buy Gordon’s operation and was more likely to add a fourth car to his stable and hoped Gordon would add a second or third car to his. According to the lawsuit, GEM was pursuing efforts to close the deal. The contract includes an exclusivity clause, which GEM claims would not allow Gordon to entertain talks with other teams about possible mergers. In May, Gordon asked out of the deal, according to the lawsuit, in exchange for an engine deal for the remainder of the season.
The exclusivity clause is the primary basis for the lawsuit, filed Aug. 25 in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte. GEM claims in court documents that Gordon has talked to other teams about merging. It also claims that Gordon made disparaging remarks that he wasn’t getting comparable engines to the other GEM drivers during a DirecTV telecast last month at Watkins Glen. The lawsuit also claims that Gordon ignored the advice of GEM and terminated his previous deal with Ford prematurely, before GEM could get a sponsorship deal from Dodge for Gordon’s car. Dodge and GEM couldn’t agree on a manufacturer’s deal for Gordon’s car. GEM, which has supplied engines and other services for Gordon throughout the season, is asking for unspecified damages for Gordon’s breach of the agreement and for the agreement to be declared null and void, according to the complaint.
“We categorically reject the allegations that are contained in the complaint, and the truth will come out if the case proceeds,” Gordon said in a statement released through his race team. “In the meantime, we think it is best to allow that to happen in the court proceedings rather than in the media. Therefore, although we have much to say, we won’t be making a further statement about it at this time.”
Other highlights of the purchase agreement:
• Gordon would have been allowed to compete in other motorsports events as long as they did not conflict with NASCAR or any sponsors of GEM.
• Gordon and GEM agreed to do their best to retain the employees Gordon wanted.
GEM spokesman Drew Brown said the team would not comment on the lawsuit.(SceneDaily)(9-4-2008) Comment here
- Kahne on Live with Regis and Kelly: #9-Kasey Kahne will be making a pit stop in New York City before he heads to Indianapolis for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Kahne will appear during the Friday, July 25 episode of "Live with Regis and Kelly" and will chat with Kelly Ripa and guest co-host David Duchovny about the Allstate 400 and his involvement with the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop program. Check your local affiliates for air times.(PR)(7-24-2008)
- Gillett Evernham interested in free agent drivers: Tuesday Gillett Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham spoke to Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody about the possibility of bringing Ryan Newman or any other free agent drivers to his race team for next year.
Host, Dave Moody: "Are you now, have you ever, or do you anticipate active negotiations with Ryan Newman for a spot in your stable next year?"
Ray Evernham: "We have not negotiated with Ryan but we have put out the feeler that we would be very interested, certainly, in talking to Ryan about the future as would probably all the other car owners but we've not spoken with Ryan or negotiated with him. But, yes, we are interested in talking to him."
Moody: "So if your phone rings and he does [call] you back are we talking about a fourth car?"
Evernham: "Mr. Gillett and I would love to expand to four cars. So if that's going to happen it has to happen quickly but there are opportunities to grow Gillett Evernham Motorsports. But, again, that depends on drivers and sponsors and there are sponsors available with the proper drivers."
Moody: "Would it be safe to assume then that Ryan Newman might not be the only top notch driver in the final year of his contract that you might have reached out [to] at this point?"
Evernham: "Yeah, absolutely, but there's no sense in doing a fourth team unless it can add to what we're already building and to start a fourth team without the proper sponsorship or a driver that can add to the program just doesn't make sense. There are a couple of drivers available and there are some sponsors out there that are talking to other teams, too, besides us to put packages together. But if we were to be able to put that package together to strengthen Gillett Evernham we'd certainly do it. The guys that are out there that have been talking to people, certainly that we have spoken to or are interested in speaking [to], are the same guys everybody else has talked to: Ryan Newman, Casey Mears and Martin Truex are the guys that are in the hot rumors right now."(Sirius NASCAR Radio)(7-23-2008) Comment here
- Gillett Evernham hosts National Guard Unit: The final off-weekend of the 2008 Sprint Cup season saw many Gillett Evernham Motorsports employees put in a little extra time at the team's race shop Friday night. But it wasn't to work on race cars. The employees played host to soldiers from a local North Carolina National Guard unit that plans to deploy overseas in 2009. More than 100 uniformed troops and their families enjoyed food, pit stop demonstrations, entertainment and employee tours of the race shops that are home to Kasey Kahne's Budweiser Dodge, Elliott Sadler's Best Buy/Stanley Tools/McDonald's Dodge and Patrick Carpentier's Valvoline/LifeLock Dodge. The guard unit detachment is from the Alpha Battery 1-113 Field Artillery Unit of the North Carolina Army National Guard. The battery is headquartered in Lincolnton, N.C. while the detachment calls Statesville home. Friday night's event marks the first public effort of the Gillett Evernham Motorsports Soldier Outreach committee. The committee plans future fundraisers to aid the unit and its families while the troops are overseas. (Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(7-19-2008) Comment here
- Shootout to get new name? UPDATE: There's a chance the annual running of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway could play the name game. The non-points race has been the season starter for NASCAR's premiere series since 1979 when it was known as the Busch Clash. Sources tell News 13 that routine negotiations are underway for naming rights to the 2009 race, and it's not yet certain that Budweiser will return as title sponsor.(News 13), well....Coor's Light took over as the official beer of NASCAR and the Bud Pole Award is now sponsored by Coor's Light and called the Coor's Light Pole Award. It could end up the Coor's Light Shootout, but when the sponsorship was announced last season it was mentioned that NASCAR’s agreement with Coors does not include the Bud Shootout race, which is a separate entitlement with Daytona Interntional Speedway.(7-8-2008)
UPDATE: The sale of Anheuser-Busch Inc. to Belgian brewer InBev will not affect its NASCAR marketing program. And in fact, the Budweiser motorsports program is expanding in 2009, according to the company's senior marketing team. Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch vice president of sports marketing, told ESPN.com on Thursday that A-B has signed a multi-year extension to continue its longstanding tradition as sponsor of the season-opening Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. The length of the new deal was not disclosed. Budweiser will also upgrade its sponsorship of Kasey Kahne's World of Outlaws team from secondary to primary, Ponturo said.(ESPN.com)(7-18-2008)
- Budweiser bought: UPDATE: Anheuser-Busch reportedly has agreed to be acquired by Belgian brewer InBev for about $52 billion. The deal being reported by The Wall Street Journal would create the world's largest brewer and put the iconic American beer maker in the hands of the Belgian-based company behind Stella Artois and Beck's beers. The newspaper cited anonymous sources who said Anheuser-Busch-InBev would be the new company's name and Anheuser would have two seats on the company board.(CNN Money), No word on how or if this will effect the sponsorship of Kasey Kahne and the #9 GEM Dodge.(7-14-2008) Comment here
- GEM names new CFO: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced the promotion of Gregory D. Park to chief financial officer of
the NASCAR team. "Greg has been a key contributor to the development of our team as well as a leader in the financial management, analysis and control of our business" said Tom Reddin, chief executive officer of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. I am very proud of the business team that we have assembled here. Having worked with Greg over the past few months, I know that he will be a strong chief financial officer, and that his management skills will be a great asset to the organization." Park joined GEM in 2005 as the team's director of systems and financial reporting. Prior to that, Park served as chief financial officer at MB2 and MBV Motorsports. He was also the corporate controller and director of systems and reporting for Action Performance Companies Inc. Park is a certified public accountant holding master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Utah.(GEM PR)(7-7-2008)
- LifeLock to Co-Sponsor Kahne at MIS and Indy: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced that LifeLock, the nation's leading identity theft protection service, will co-sponsor the #9 Budweiser Dodge with driver Kasey Kahne when it races at Michigan Speedway this weekend [June 15th] and at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis on July 27. LifeLock also sponsors Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver #10-Patrick Carpentier in eight Sprint Cup races in the 2008 season. Team CEO Tom Reddin said the addition of two more races to the LifeLock schedule is another sign of the growing relationship between the two companies. LifeLock has held sponsorship deals in NASCAR, open wheel and sports car racing. Recently, it announced a three-year agreement to sponsor this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan Speedway. LifeLock has created a special new offer for race fans interested in signing up for LifeLock's services. When signing up, fans will receive LifeLock services for free for the first 60 days by using the new
promotional code "GEM". To sign up for LifeLock, fans can call 1-877-LIFELOCK or sign up online at www.evernham.com or www.lifelock.com.(GEM)(6-12-2008)
- Kahne wins at Pocono: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway for his 2nd win of the season and 9th of his career and his 5th from the pole. Kahne led 69 or 200 laps, the most of any driver. #83-Vickers finished 2nd, followed by #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #31-Burton, #48-Johnson, #2-Busch, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards and #8-Martin. #84-Allmendinger finished 12th, his career best. Drivers who ran well but had problems late include #20-Stewart [speeding penalty], #16-Biffle [speeding penalty], #99-Edwards [flat tire]. Points leader coming into the race, #18-Busch wrecked early in the race and finished 43rd [last], even after the crew worked to get the car back on the track but with not much attrition in the race, Busch made up no spots and Busch lost it late in the race and spun, then parked the car. The best finishing rookie was #00-McDowell at 27th. There were 23 lead changes among 12 drivers and 10 cautions for 38 laps.
For race results, awards and more, see my Pocono Race Results Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Pocono page.(6-8-2008)
- Kahne wins Coca-Cola 600: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway for his 1st win of 2008 and his 8th career win, leading 66 laps and becoming the 6th driver to win both the All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same year. #16-Biffle finsihed 2nd followed by #16-Biffle, #18-Busch, #24-Gordon, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #31-Burton, #17-Kenseth, #19-Sadler, #99-Edwards and #44-Reutimann. #48-Johnson lost an engine late and finished 39th. There were 11 cautions for 50 laps and 16 drivers led a lap with 39 lead changes.
Race Results on my Charlotte Race Results/Awards Page.
For the drivers points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(5-25-2008)
- Kahne Races in Iowa after winning All-Star race: Two hours. That's how much sleep Kasey Kahne managed between Saturday night's improbable $1 million Sprint Cup Series All-Star Challenge win at Lowe's Motor Speedway and flying in to race Sunday at Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA.
"I'm starting to feel it catching up to me," Kahne said at 11am as he prepared for the U.S. Cellular 200 NASCAR Camping World Series race at the-mile asphalt track. "I'll be fine once I get in the car, but, man, I was starting to get tired." Kahne, who finished third in Sunday's race [won by Brian Ickler], said the postrace celebration Saturday lasted as long as his subsequent slumber session. "It just went on and on and on with everything you do when you win a race at Lowe's (Motor Speedway) — especially an All-Star race," said Kahne, who needed the fans' vote to gain entry into the All-Star Challenge. "(That's) good, it's all fun stuff. I got done with that and about 12:30 got to my motor home, left the track at about 1:45, took a shower when I got home, got to bed at three, woke up at five. Flew here, got here at 7:15 and went to the driver's meeting."(Des Moines Register)(5-19-2008) Comment here
- Kahne wins All-Star Challenge: #9-Kasey Kahne, who won the Fan Vote, won the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway after the team chose not to change tires on the last pit stop. Kahne becomes the first Fan Vote winner and the 3rd driver to transfer from the Sprint Showdown to win the race. #16-Biffle finished 2nd, followed by #17-Kenseth, #48-Johnson, #20-Stewart, #12-Newman, #77-Hornish Jr., #88-Earnhardt Jr., #8-Martin and #99-Edwards. Pole sitter #18-Busch, lost an engine towards the end of the 2nd segment and finished 24th. Kahne won the fan vote, 2nd was #7-Robby Gordon with #19-Elliott Sadler finishing third. See results and rundown of each segment on my 2008 All-Star Challenge Page or my All-Star Race/Showdown Results Page.(5-17-2008) Comment here
- Evernham still involved in GEM: Ray Evernham says he is still an essential part of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Rumors have been circulating that the 50-year-old Evernham had sold his remaining interest in the organization that fields Cup teams for drivers #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Patrick Carpentier. Evernham sold a majority interest in Evernham Motorsports to businessman George Gillett in August 2007 and the company was subsequently renamed Gillett Evernham Motorsports. “The way that whole program worked, I sold 80% of the company and I will continue to own 20% of the company until George and I decide we’re not going to be partners or whatever,” Evernham said May 10. Evernham says his position isn’t one that requires him to be in the office each day or at the track each weekend – earlier this year he agreed to serve as an analyst for ESPN’s NASCAR coverage, and he says his new schedule has allowed him to spend more time with his son, Ray J.(SceneDaily)(5-17-2008) Comment here
- Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop Using GEM Drivers to Reach Parents and Teens: Allstate Insurance Company is using a group of athletes who drive fast for a living to caution parents and teens to slow down when making decisions behind the wheel. By partnering with Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM), Allstate has created the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop, an interactive, racing-focused program that will promote teen safe driving in key NASCAR markets throughout the year. The goal of the initiative is to facilitate communication between parents and teens about the importance of teen safe driving and provide tools to spark these conversations, including Allstate's interactive Parent-Teen Driving Contract, available at www.allstate.com/teen. Allstate is the official insurance provider of GEM. GEM NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier, as well as team owner Ray Evernham, will headline the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stops at high schools across the country prior to the Sprint Cup Series races in select markets. Joining them will be SPEED personality John Roberts, who will serve as emcee at all of the events. Events are being scheduled for Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va., with other markets to be announced throughout the year. Highlights of the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop will include an interactive discussion with GEM drivers and Evernham and an open forum and question and answer session between the drivers, parents and teens. The Allstate Safety Zone, an interactive safe driving mobile display, will also visit the high schools and provide illustrations of important safety components in NASCAR stock cars. Computer kiosks will be available for parents and teens to complete Allstate's Interactive Parent-Teen Driving Contract at www.allstate.com/teen.(Allstate)(4-27-2008)
- Keller to stand by for Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne was suffering through a sinus infection Saturday, but the illness didn't stop him from posting the fastest lap in Happy Hour. Kahne decided to skip the Sam's Town 300 Nationwide race Saturday because of his illness. Gillett Evernham Motorsports teammate Patrick Carpentier replaced Kahne in the #9 Nationwide entry. "After the first [Cup] practice, we knew we might do something to allow Kasey the time to get better for Sunday's race," said Mark McArdle, vice president of competition for GEM. "He's been taking fluids and getting plenty of rest." McArdle said they have Nationwide Series driver Jason Keller on stand-by just in case Kahne can't drive Sunday or needs to get out of the car before the end of the race.(ESPN.com)(3-2-2008) Comment here
- Two Allstate / Kahne Commercials to air during Vegas race: Building on the popularity of the first three years of its "Allstate Girls" advertising campaign, Allstate, the official insurance sponsor of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, is kicking off the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season with the launch of two new television spots featuring #9-Kasey Kahne, the Allstate Girls, and for the first time on camera, a pairing of Kahne and Allstate spokesperson Dennis Haysbert. The commercials will debut March 2 during FOX's third Sprint Cup Series telecast of the season.(Allstate PR)(2-29-2008)
- Evernham Joins ESPN’s NASCAR Team as Analyst: Ray Evernham, a successful team owner in NASCAR racing and a three-time Sprint Cup champion crew chief, has joined ESPN’s NASCAR coverage team as an analyst. Evernham, who makes his debut this week from Daytona International Speedway, will appear on NASCAR Now, ESPN’s daily NASCAR news and information show, as part of a rotating panel of ESPN analysts for a weekly roundtable discussion in an expanded one-hour Monday edition of the program. The roundtable, hosted by ESPN’s Allen Bestwick, will discuss the latest NASCAR news and events. Evernham, owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, also will make appearances via satellite on other editions of NASCAR Now. NASCAR Now airs weeknights at 6pm/et on ESPN2. In addition to his duties with NASCAR Now, Evernham will work as an analyst in ESPN’s booth for live telecasts of Nationwide Series races from Mexico City and Loudon, N.H. Evernham also will join ESPN’s pre-race NASCAR Countdown show for some races in 2008, including prior to the Feb. 16 Nationwide Series opening event from Daytona, and will appear from Daytona on NASCAR Now, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS. “We are thrilled to further elevate our NASCAR telecasts with the addition of another former champion in Ray Evernham,” said Rich Feinberg, vice president, motorsports, ESPN production. “Our team already has a very deep bench and this only strengthens it.” Evernham appeared on several Nationwide Series telecasts in 2007 as a guest analyst on the pre-race program and also was featured in Race Wizard with Ray Evernham, a program that aired on ESPN2 in 2007. He previously appeared as an analyst on ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the IROC Series in 2000. "ESPN is the leader in sports worldwide,” said Evernham. “Their expertise and credibility with the men and women around the world reinforces this position, and I am excited that NASCAR is such an integral part of their programming. I look forward to joining their team and sharing my knowledge and experience of the sport with the fans."(ESPN PR)(2-13-2008)
- New Young Guns Named: #07-Clint Bowyer and #11-Denny Hamlin are the latest additions to the Gillette Young Guns program. The pair join #2-Kurt Busch, #12-Ryan Newman, #99-Carl Edwards and #9-Kasey Kahne as clean-shaven drivers in the campaign. #48-Jimmie Johnson and #26-Jamie McMurray are no longer participating in the program. The company is unveiling a new ad campaign featuring the drivers with WWE veteran John Cena attempting to teach the group to wrestle. Cena learned to drive a Sprint Cup car as part of a reality television show last summer. The Gillette program is entering its fifth season.(SceneDaily.com) Comment here.
- Miller challenges Bud for 2008, money to charity: The Palms Casino Resort unveiled today a new head-to-head betting line that establishes the #2 Miller Lite Sprint Cup team as a clear favorite over the rival Bud car for the 2008 season. Wasting no time in underscoring its confidence in Kurt Busch and the entire Miller Lite Racing team, Miller Brewing Company announced immediately that it is wagering $25,000 on the Blue Deuce to again finish ahead of the Bud car [#9-Kasey Kahne] this year, with the winnings pegged for the Kurt Busch Foundation. The Palms' official line has the Miller Lite car favored to finish 8˝ spots ahead of the Bud car in the final Sprint Cup season standings. Additionally, Miller is wagering $2,500 on the #2 car to finish ahead of the #9 at the Feb. 17 season-opening race in Daytona Beach. At The Palms Casino Resort, the Blue Deuce is favored to finish 6˝ spots ahead of the #9 Bud car in the Daytona race. The Palms will be setting similar lines between the two cars for each race. In addition to making a wager on its car for charity, Tom Long, Miller's president and CEO, today sent a certified letter to his counterpart at Anheuser-Busch, August Busch IV, encouraging him to place a wager on his company's new team and driver, donating any winnings to charity. This is the third consecutive year Miller Lite has engaged Budweiser in a friendly challenge in the days leading up to the start of the NASCAR season. Past challenges have included as a prize swapping paint schemes on their cars and the naming rights to each brewer's hometown baseball stadium. Both years, Bud has declined Miller's offer. In year one of the challenge, 2006, Bud would have emerged the winner, but Miller Lite would have been victorious in 2007. The Palms Casino Resort announced that not only was it issuing an official season-long betting line for the Miller Lite and Bud cars, but also a line for each individual race. Miller plans to wager on the Miller Lite Dodge in select individual races during the season, with winnings again going to the Kurt Busch Foundation. Should it lose the season-long wager, Miller will still make a $5,000 donation to the charity. For more information about this year's Miller Lite NASCAR challenge, please visit www.MillerLiteRacing.com.(Tom Roberts PR)(2-6-2008) Comment here.
- GEM appoints Tom Reddin as new CEO: Gillett Evernham Motorsports appointed Tom Reddin as its new chief executive officer overseeing the team's three Sprint Cup teams and Nationwide team. "This is another step in our plan toward build a winning organization," said co-owner Ray Evernham. "Tom is a world-class business executive
who brings a wealth of experience to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. His management style will enable this organization to maximize its production off the track so the competition side has the resources to win races and contend for championships." Gillett Evernham Motorsports began searching for a new CEO last season with Evernham, co-owner George Gillett Jr., and President Rick Russell leading the search committee. "We couldn't be happier with our selection," said Gillett. "I feel fortunate we could find someone of Tom's experience, expertise and passion to come lead our organization. The fans in the stands might not see Tom's face at the track but his performance is as vital as that of any team member." Reddin's business background is a combination of consumer packaged goods, e-commerce and technology experience gained at Kraft Foods, CBS, Coca-Cola and LendingTree where he ultimately served as chief executive officer. Reddin's experience also involved racing and NASCAR. His love for motorsports began in childhood and continued when he worked with the late Bobby Hamilton with Country Time Lemonade in the late 80's and early 90's, and Coca-Cola's NASCAR ties in the late 1990s.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(2-5-2008)
- Cintas signs with GEM; primary for #10 in a race: Cintas Corp., a supplier of corporate uniforms and other business services, has agreed to a multiyear sponsorship deal at Gillett Evernham Motorsports beginning with the 2008 season. Cincinnati-based Cintas will become the official uniform supplier and safety supplier for all three of GEM's teams, which gives the company associate sponsorship positioning on the #'s 9, 10 and 19 Sprint Cup cars. Cintas also will be a primary sponsor on Patrick Carpentier's #10 Dodge for the March 9 Sprint Cup race at Atlanta, marking the first time Cintas has been a primary sponsor on a Cup car, the company said. Terms of the deal were not available. In addition to sponsoring GEM's Sprint Cup teams, Cintas will have access to drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler. Cintas intends to use the drivers as part of its "Lifetime Experiences" program for Cintas clients.(Business Courier of Cincinnati)(2-4-2008)
- Something up with Robby Gordon? UPDATE been hearing a bunch of rumors the last few days about Robby Gordon Motorsports, driver/owner Robby Gordon and the #7 Ford. Everything from he is selling the team, merging the team or/and switching manufacturers. Rumored teams include Yates Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Hall of Fame Racing. Email sent to the team has gone unanswered. I have been told Gordon tested at California Speedway Thursday, then left and headed back to California and didn't test there Friday.
UPDATE: Gillett Evernham Motorsports today announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing services agreement with Robby Gordon Motorsports which will race Dodges in the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Gordon's team will use Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge engines when practice begins next week at Daytona International Speedway. BAM Racing and Petty Enterprises also use Gillett Evernham Motorsports engines and receive technical assistance. Gillett Evernham Motorsports fields cars for drivers #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Patrick Carpentier in the Sprint Cup Series as well as a Nationwide Series entry. "I feel this agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports helps make the learning curve of the COT little bit easier to navigate," said Gordon whose 28th-place finish in owner points was the best of any single-car
team in 2007. "I like what they have going on over there and I think both organizations will benefit. As an owner I want to do what is best for my employees and sponsors." Gordon's move to Dodge comes after one year with Ford. "Ford has been very good to me, and this move is not a reflection on our relationship at all," said Gordon. "Ford was planning on supporting me, and even increasing its engineering support for my program in 2008. However, I felt that I needed to make this move to help put my team in a
more stable financial situation in terms of marketing and sponsorship help." Based in Charlotte North Carolina, Robby Gordon Motorsports is home to the No. 7 Dodge. With sponsorship from Jim Beam, Menards, Mapei, and Camping World Robby Gordon will run the entire 2008 Sprint Cup series schedule.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(GEM PR)(2-1-2008)
- Evernham not leaving NASCAR: Ray Evernham said that rumors of his retirement from NASCAR were greatly exaggerated. After selling part of his business to the Gillett group (GEM) Evernham, Jeff Gordon’s former crew chief who started his own team full-time with Dodge in 2001, admitted that racing is not fun any longer in an interview during the Sprint NASCAR Media Tour in Concord. “Honestly, no, I wasn’t having fun,” he said, adding “it wasn’t just because of the (team’s poor) performance. There was a lot going on, over the last few years, that took the fun out of it for me because I love racing. Some of the fun had gone away, but, there’s a lot of great people in the sport and I want to spend time with those people and maybe being away from the negative people will help a little bit.” Remaining in NASCAR’s top series was a battle he explained “it was a constant fight to keep people, to keep sponsors, to keep relationships in a in a highly competitive world not all things don’t always go well. Evernham said that since it took three people to take over his previous job, he was working too hard to accomplish his goals. For now he’ll remain an “owner” but have the freedom to chose what role he’ll continue with at Gillett Evernham Motorsports.(Franckly Speaking/Lewis Franck)(1-22-2008) Comment here
- GEM names Mark McArdle VP and Managing Director of Competition Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced the promotion of Mark McArdle to Vice President and
Managing Director of Competition. McArdle formerly served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Gillett Evernham Engines. "This is another example of the business and performance related improvements Ray Evernham and I are committed to making," said George Gillett Jr., team owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. "The goal is to position our resources and leadership where they will have the greatest impact, conduct assessments and then make any additional strategic investments necessary to compete for championships. That's what we expect as an organization and we are committed to delivering that level of performance to our partners." McArdle spent 10 years building engines in CART with organizations such as Penske Racing and Mercedes-Benz. After visiting victory lane in the Indianapolis 500 three times, McArdle made the move to NASCAR and has
been with Gillett Evernham Motorsports since 2003. In addition to his management responsibilities at Gillett Evernham Engines, he also provided oversight and direction to Advanced Engine Technology, the Gillett Evernham facility based in Northhamptonshire, England. "We are promoting Mark [McArdle] to this role based on his remarkable performance and innumerable contributions to Gillett Evernham Motorsports over the past five seasons, especially with our engine program," said Evernham, co-owner. "Mark has an exceptional understanding of the technical side of this business, but additionally he understands that the foundation of this business is people. He has an outstanding reputation with his effective management style and is a proven team leader that is committed to excellence and delivering results." McArdle's technology-based approach to competition together with the added business expertise and resources of Gillett should help Gillett Evernham Motorsports move closer to its goal of becoming a championship organization. "I am very grateful to both Ray Evernham and George Gillett for the trust they are placing in me. Our goal is to win races and championships and until we do that I won't rest and neither will our employees at this race shop," McArdle said. "This company has a history of winning races and I fully expect we will resume that tradition here shortly."(GEM PR)(1-16-2008)
- Kahne pleas not guity for Homestead pushing incident: Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver #9-Kasey Kahne has filed a written plea of not guilty to a charge of misdemeanor battery stemming from an alleged pushing incident with a security guard Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The not guilty plea was filed Thursday and cancels the arraignment scheduled for Tuesday. Kahne has hired Richard Sharpstein as his attorney. Sharpstein has been in the news recently as the attorney and family friend of murdered Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Kahne also faces a civil suit stemming from the incident. According to witness statements, Kahne's brother said Kahne was pushing the guard's hands off of him, while the security guard claims Kahne shoved him.(SceneDaily.com)(1-5-2008)
2007 News
- Kahne under investigation after incident with security guard UPDATE 2 GEM Statement: #9-Nextel Cup driver Kasey Kahne is under investigation by the Homestead Police Department for pushing a track security guard to the ground Friday before the Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. A conflict ensued between Kahne and the security guard after Kahne could not provide the proper credential for his brother, Kale Kahne, in order to enter the drivers' motorhome lot inside the speedway, according to Police Capt. Tom Foglia. After the incident, Foglia said, the security guard complained his blood pressure had escalated. An emergency vehicle was called and the security guard was taken to the infield care center. Foglia did not have the name of the security guard or his condition as of early Saturday afternoon. "We are looking into the matter; the detective is handling it," Foglia added. After Cup practice on Saturday, Kahne said, "It was all a misunderstanding." NASCAR officials are aware of the incident and said the sanctioning body will not take action until the local police conclude their investigation. "We can't comment on that right now," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said.(NASCAR.com)(11-17-2007)
UPDATE: A Miami law firm announced its plans Monday to file a lawsuit against a NASCAR driver accused of assaulting a 62-year-old security guard at the Homestead-Miami Speedway last month. Russell Dohan, an attorney with Goldberg & Dohan, said the lawsuit against NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne would be filed Monday in Miami. Kahne, 27, is charged with one count of battery against Archibald Hutchison, who was working as a security guard at the speedway for a race Nov. 16 when the incident allegedly occurred. According to a Homestead police report, Kahne was attempting to access a restricted recreational vehicle parking lot on a golf cart after he finished driving his racecar when Hutchison stopped him and asked him for credentials. Kahne stated that he was a driver and didn't need any, then got out of the golf cart and tried to walk through the gate, the report stated. When Hutchison blocked the entrance and asked Kahne for credentials again, Kahne pushed Hutchison to the ground, according to the report. The report said Kahne was stopped and detained by law enforcement officers who witnessed the incident. He was arrested later that day and released on the signed condition that he appears in court. Hutchison, who was advised not to let any unauthorized people through gate 208 without exception, was treated at the speedway's medical facility for minor bruises and abrasions, according to the report. Dohan said Hutchison hasn't been able to return to work because of his injuries. Dohan said his client has suffered emotionally from the incident and is "getting killed" by NASCAR fans on Web site blogs. He also said he planned to have his client speak with the media about the lawsuit at a news conference planned for Tuesday.(local10.com)(12-17-2007)
UPDATE 2: Responding to the lawsuit filed today against Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ driver Kasey Kahne for an incident that occurred at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Rick Russell, president of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, issued the following statement: “Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a close family and Kasey Kahne is an integral part of our organization. The alleged action in this case is not consistent with the Kasey Kahne we know. It is unfortunate the issue has progressed to this point. We support our driver, Kasey Kahne, and have complete confidence in the legal process.”(Clear!Blue/GEM PR)(12-19-2007)
- No Petty/GEM merger: For the time being, Petty Enterprises will go it alone in the increasingly costly world of NASCAR. Kyle Petty said Tuesday that Richard Petty has decided not to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Not at this time, at least. Petty Enterprises and Gillett Evernham were said to be discussing a merger or partnership that would have allowed Petty to maintain its identity.(Kansas City Star)(11-28-2007)
- Kahne 2nd at Turkey Night: #9-Kasey Kahne placed second in the USAC Midget Turkey Night Grand Prix on Friday at Irwindale Speedway. Kahne, driving a car he owned, finished 2.27 seconds behind race winner Dave Darland. Finishing third was Brewco Motorsports driver Bobby East. Several other drivers with NASCAR ties competed in the event, including Chip Ganassi Racing development driver Bryan Clauson (sixth), Braun Racing driver Jason Leffler (seventh), Penske Racing development driver Billy Wease (ninth), Bill Davis Racing development driver Bobby Santos (22nd), Roush Racing development driver Ricky Stenhouse (29th) and Ford Racing development driver Stephanie Mockler (31st). Santos won the 40-lap USAC Sprint race. Kahne finished 13th in that race.(SceneDaily.com)(11-24-2007)
- Evernham plans to scale back track time in 2008: Although Ray Evernham will be overseeing how the race cars will be built at Gillett Evernham Motorsports next year, he doesn't expect to be at the race track all the time to do it. "You'll probably see less of me as the thing goes on a little bit," Evernham said Nov. 16. "I'm going to try to get a little bit rested up and concentrate on what we've got to do to get better and see what the next things are." Evernham sold majority interest of his team to George Gillett and family in August. The former crew chief for Jeff Gordon has remained with the team as chief executive officer. "The Gilletts have done a great job and they're doing exactly what they said they would do and it's maybe letting me stand back a little bit and say, 'OK, what have we really got to do with this organization?' " Evernham said. "I'm looking forward to maybe being more of a consultant to my own company and helping more rather than trying. For me to be in the shop worrying about where the bodies are put and how the cars are being built? No, I need to be out identifying the people and getting that long-term vision back again and it's going to allow me to do that, so you're probably going to see a little bit less of me."(SceneDaily.com)(11-19-2007)
- Lifetime Powertrain Warranty Scheme for Kahne: The #9 Dodge will feature a new Lifetime Powertrain Warranty promotional paint scheme for the races at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Chrysler is the first and only original equipment manufacturer to offer a 'best-in-industry' Lifetime Powertrain Warranty - providing worry-free ownership. (Clear!Blue/GEM PR)(10-31-2007)
- Kahne Donates $500,000 to Ronald McDonald House: On Monday, Oct 15th, #9-Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver and founder of the Kasey Kahne Foundation donated $500,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte to support the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte. "We are thrilled to partner with Kasey Kahne on this important initiative to support critically ill children in the Charlotte area," said Joanne Charnetski, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. "The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte relies heavily on the generous support of individuals like Kasey Kahne and his foundation, as well as our dedicated volunteers." The new facility will serve as a "home away from home" for the families of children who are receiving care at two state-of-the-art children's medical facilities - Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital and Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC). Upon completion of the new Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, there will be a Ronald McDonald House located in every major city across the United States. The Ronald McDonald House program has provided a "home-away-from-home" for millions of families of children being treated at nearby hospitals since its inception in 1974. There are 270 Ronald McDonald Houses open in 30 countries worldwide.(PR)(10-17-2007)
- GEM-Petty deal on hold? Alex Gillett still hopes to work out a partnership with Petty Enterprises, although he admits talks have slowed. "What you've got is one of the most storied people in the sport," the co-owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports said. "There is a lot of emotion attached to what they want to do in the future and who they want to move into the future with. I can respect that. If that means give them space or not space. We did it with Ray." Negotiations to merge Gillett with owner Ray Evernham lasted at least four months longer than anticipated because an underground storage tank had to first be removed from Evernham's property in Statesville, N.C., for environmental reasons. "A lot of people criticized us for taking too long to close," Gillett said. "Well, nobody asked us the question of why. Each one of these has a life cycle. You can't push it." Meanwhile, Gillett said GEM officials are talking to two or three drivers to replace Scott Riggs in the #10 next season. He acknowledged that Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier is a strong candidate even though he has only one Nextel Cup start. David Stremme, who was not re-signed by Chip Ganassi Racing, also is a candidate. "I'm not sure if you bring somebody like a Patrick Carpentier and throw him right into Nextel Cup," Gillett said. "So we've got some other good options in the No. 10 car we're exploring. We'll see over the next couple of weeks where that ends up."(ESPN.cpm)(10-8-2007)
- GEM to open New York Sales Office Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced that Jim Tucker has been hired as senior director, sales & development. Tucker has over nine years of corporate sponsorship experience, in developing, negotiating and implementing integrated marketing programs for major brands and properties in the sports, media and entertainment industries. Jim Tucker will be opening a sales office in New York City that will work complement and expand the reach of the existing Statesville, NC based sales and marketing department. Tucker will report to David Jessey, Vice President of Sales & Development. The new office will be responsible for developing new team sponsorships with Fortune 500 companies for the Gillett Motorsports’ fleet of cars and drivers, including #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs. Prior to this announcement, Jim Tucker spent four years in NASCAR’s sales and marketing offices, based in Manhattan. Prior to NASCAR, Jim Tucker worked with the National Football League in their Corporate Sales & Marketing division, managing the League’s official sponsorships.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-25-2007)
- More on the GEM/Petty 'merger': George Gillett Jr., the majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, has been a big fan of seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty for more than 30 years. Now he wants to be business partners. Gillett is actively pursuing a merger that would make Petty Enterprises and GEM a four-car team. Sources close to the situation say the merger likely would happen before the start of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, with Petty likely moving his two-car operation of #43-Bobby Labonte and #45-Kyle Petty to GEM's Statesville [NC] facility. Gillett would only confirm that there have been discussions. "He's a man of great integrity, honesty," Gillett said of Petty. "His values are something like I've never seen. ... I'd love to figure out a way to be associated with him. I'm not prepared to say any more than that today. Richard and I are good friends." GEM minority owner Ray Evernham said such a deal would make both organizations stronger. "From my point of view, I would like to see that happen," Evernham said of the merger. "For me, the sooner the better." Evernham has been looking to expand to four teams. The difference here, he said, is he would have four good teams that are solidly in the top 35 for next season. Gillett said expansion is the only way to keep up, and not just in terms of teams. He is looking to build a large shop in the Charlotte area that will become a destination for racing fans. "Ray Evernham has every bit of technical skill and genius as the best of any one of those programs," he said of Evernham, who won three Cup titles as Gordon's crew chief. "So we will deploy ourselves in a way that gives us as much competitive strength as is possible to do within the rules." To stay within those rules, specifically NASCAR's four-car limit, GEM would have to lose one of its three teams to merge with Petty. The #10 driven by Scott Riggs is the likely target. Riggs is 37th in [drivers and owners] points, well behind Kahne in 22nd [drivers] and Elliott Sadler in 25th [drivers]. Gillett acknowledged that he would like to get more seat time for Patrick Carpentier, who finished 22nd when he replaced Riggs at the Watkins Glen road course last month. "We had our first test with him yesterday on an oval," [Kentucky Speedway] he said. "We're going over the data. ... I can tell you he looked very good and very comfortable on the track. He was competitive. It doesn't appear there will be any significant learning curve." Regardless, to merge with Petty Enterprises there would be no room for Carpentier in a Cup car. "It's all about the number of cars," Gillett said. "We would have to get rid of one of the cars here. Whether 'get rid of' means mothball or have it aligned with another team ... there are a number of teams out there that don't have four cars, several of whom we already have relationships with." GEM and Petty, which would remain under the Petty Enterprises umbrella, potentially could have the knowledge of six to eight cars under that scenario as Roush Fenway Racing plans to do under its partnership with Yates Racing. "As you can see, we've got technical excellence, a commitment to technology and upstanding people," Gillett said. "We need to exploit that. That can be exploited in any number of ways."(ESPN.com), on has to wonder..... what about Petty Enterprises long standing non-alcohol sponsorship policy? neither the #43-Labonte or #45-Petty cars carry any form of alcohol [beer or spirits] decals/sponsorship - like the Bud Pole award. How would teaming up with GEM and the #9 Budweiser sponsorship effect this policy?(9-19-2007)
- On the heels of the success of the popular "Allstate Girls" commercials, Allstate has created a way for NASCAR fans to make their own video with Kasey Kahne. By visiting MeetNumber9.com, fans can view comical videos starring a cardboard cut-out of Kahne in a variety of unusual settings. Fans that enter the contest can cast their own likeness in these "Webisodes" by uploading a photo and "star" opposite Kahne's one-dimensional body double.(9-19-2007)
- Budweiser to sponsor Kahne and #9 in 2008: Budweiser announced Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will become the next world-class racer to take the wheel of the iconic red Budweiser car when the 2008 Sprint Cup season kicks off in February. "Budweiser has a long and storied history with NASCAR and some of its most successful drivers. We're excited about Kasey's ability to add to that outstanding lineage," said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Along with team owners George Gillett and Ray Evernham, we feel the pieces are in place for the #9 Budweiser Dodge to contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup championships for years to come."
"The fan in me is thrilled because driving for Budweiser is the kind of opportunity you dream of when you break into this sport. I'm excited about getting behind the wheel of a car that's been driven by some of the best this sport has seen," said Kahne, who has seven wins, 31 top-fives and 46 top-10s in three and a half years on the Cup circuit. "We'll be out to win races and championships, and everyone involved with our organization feels we can do that."
"If Kasey's proven anything in his young career it's that he has the talent to be one of our sport's most consistent winners," said Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner Evernham.
"He's already one of the most popular drivers on the circuit and only stands to benefit more from Budweiser's track record for helping develop drivers with sponsorship activation that's second to none," added Gillett.
Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983, and in 1998, Budweiser became the "Official Beer of NASCAR," cementing the brand's place among stock car racing's elite sponsors. Budweiser is also the sponsor of the Bud Pole Award in all NASCAR divisions, the title sponsor of the annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, the exclusive beer and malt beverage advertiser of the Daytona 500, and the "Official Beer Sponsor" of Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400.(GEM PR), added a few images of the car to my Paint Scheme Gallery.(9-18-2007)
- Kahne and Bud...a done deal? UPDATE 4 Allstate?: hearing #9-Kasey Kahne has already signed with Budweiser, an announcement could be coming in the next couple of weeks.(8-3-2007)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne said a deal with sponsor Budweiser would be "awesome," but that nothing has been signed yet. An Internet report on Friday said Budweiser had signed with Evernham Motorsports to be Kahne's primary sponsor beginning in 2008. "I've been in some conversations, so I'd say it's closer if they bring a driver into conversations," Kahne said Saturday at Pocono Raceway. "And it went really well. But as far as anything signed, there's nothing signed that I know of."(SceneDaily.com)(8-4-2007)
UPDATE 2: GEM and Kahne to announce sponsor on Tuesday: Gillett Evernham Motorsports has finalized a multi-year sponsorship for driver Kasey Kahne and the #9 Dodge.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports principals George Gillett and Ray Evernham will make the formal announcement during a press conference at the team's shop in Statesville, N.C. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. NASCAR fans can visit the Web sites of Gillett Evernham Motorsports (www.evernhammotorsports.com) and Kasey Kahne (www.kaseykahne.com) to watch a live Webcast of the press conference.(Career Sports Entertainment PR)
UPDATE 3: As expected, Budweiser will become the primary sponsor for Kasey Kahne and the #9 Dodge in 2008, sources confirmed Thursday. The deal for Budweiser to sponsor Kahne has been in the works for more than two months. GEM officials first had to make sure Dodge representatives were OK with the change. The Dodge dealers sponsor two GEM cars -- Kahne and the #19 driven by Elliott Sadler. Finalizing the deal with Budweiser also took longer than expected because all the parties had to agree on the percentages for licensing revenues.(ESPN.com)(9-14-2007)
UPDATE 4: The fact Kasey Kahne will drive a Budweiser-sponsored Dodge in 2008 is old news. What's interesting is that the #9 won't be red in every race. In fact, sometimes it may be blue. Sources close to negotiations told ESPN.com on Sunday that one of Kahne's current sponsors, likely Allstate, would serve as primary sponsor in "a couple of races." (Which races the blue car would run was not known.) That would be a significant move; Anheuser-Busch isn't apt to offer up the hood of its car to another sponsor. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has driven several different paint schemes during his eight full Nextel Cup seasons in the #8. But they all were Budweiser-sponsored. Kahne chose not to comment on the speculation Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kahne's team is the latest to move to multiple primary sponsorships. Given the hefty sum of money required to be competitive, more and more teams are divvying up primary sponsorships to more than one company.(ESPN.com)(9-17-2007)
- Latest on the GEM-Petty merger: A possible merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises would benefit both teams from a competition standpoint, Petty vice president of racing operations Robbie Loomis said Saturday. In a season of mergers, GEM and Petty are just the latest to talk about combining their teams and resources. From Loomis' view on the competition side, sharing engineering would only help. Loomis pointed to the agreement between Roush Fenway Racing and Yates Racing - in which the teams will share information, cars and motors - as one that might work for Petty and GEM. "I think that's the same thing we're trying," he said. "The model of the sport has been created by NASCAR, the framework has been set with the rules. And now we're trying to figure out how to make Petty Enterprises bigger and larger." Petty already gets its engines from GEM. Evernham, who is focused more on the racing and less on the business since selling a majority share of his company to George Gillett, said he would welcome the opportunity to work with the Pettys and "especially Bobby Labonte." "There's obviously discussions going on," he said. "I don't know exactly where they're at. ... I think it would be a good thing for both organizations." Loomis said in the year and a half since he returned to the Petty organization, he'd been approached by three or four teams about doing various deals with the 43 car in particular. "That's what everybody is interested in, they're interested in the Petty brand and the 43," he said. "It's such a clean thing. You look at the things with Kyle Petty and Victory Junction Gang [Camp] and everything they stand for, their worth is worth a lot more than what's on the race track. And what I want to do is make sure we've got the money and the tools to operate on the race track. Right now we're operating on half to a third of the budget that the big teams are operating on, so I want to make sure that we're going to get the money and the financing to carry the company forward and take it to the next level while we still keep what I call the 'P' in the Petty - the things off the track that makes Petty feel good."(SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2007)
- Dodge statement regarding Kahne's sponsor: Responding to the media advisory from Gillett Evernham Motorsports that a multi-year sponsorship agreement for Kasey Kahne and the #9 Dodge has been finalized and will be announced on Tuesday, Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing and Communications, issued the
following statement: “When Dodge made its return to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2001 with Ray Evernham and Evernham Motorsports, a key component of the program was the sponsorship of the 9 and 19 by our Dodge Dealers. That partnership with Evernham Motorsports has produced significant on-track results and has been a viable platform for our dealer group to showcase the Dodge DNA of power and performance. During the past seven years, the Dodge family has grown to multiple teams with multi-car operations. That’s created new opportunities and challenges for Dodge as we focus on the future and our goal of winning races and competing for the championship in NASCAR’s premier series. Additional sponsorship support of the #9 Dodge Avenger, driven by Kasey Kahne, in 2008 gives Dodge the opportunity to redirect valuable resources toward the challenges facing all our teams. We welcome the new partnership and look forward to working with Gillett Evernham Motorsports toward the goal we share with all teams in the Dodge family, the Nextel Cup. This does not change our commitment to be the manufacturing leader in NASCAR’s premier series, win races and consistently contend for the Nextel Cup. We now have the opportunity to apply additional resources to areas that can directly impact the on-track performance of all our teams and expand marketing opportunities for our dealers.”(Dodge/ClearBlue PR)(9-14-2007)
- GEM/Petty to merge? Petty Enterprises, NASCAR's most storied organization, is open to a change of ownership. The two-car operation owned by seven-time champion Richard Petty is having discussions with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. that would allow it to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and form a four-car Nextel Cup organization. "They have quoted some numbers,'' Kyle Petty, the CEO of Petty Enterprises and driver of the #45 Dodge, said on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. Gillett recently purchased majority ownership of Evernham Motorsports, now known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Petty said Gillett has floated an offer in which the companies would merge but allow Petty Enterprises to continue working under its flagship name. For that to happen, Gillett Evernham Motorsports would have to drop one of its three teams to comply with NASCAR's cap of four cars. The #10 car of Scott Riggs would be the most likely victim. Riggs is out of the top 35 in owner's points that automatically qualify for races and his contract is up after this season. Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler are solidly in the top 35 in owner's points with Kahne at 22 and Sadler at 28. Both Petty Enterprises cars also are in the top 35 with Bobby Labonte at 18 and Kyle Petty at 34. Evernham said there's no doubt the proper business model is for a four-car operation. Because he already has a relationship with the Pettys, supplying the organization with engines and technical support, he would be all for a merger. "I think we could combine the organizations and be stronger,'' he said. "How the car numbers work, I don't know.'' Petty said he is far from a deal with Gillett, which took more than six months to finalize his deal with Evernham, or any suitor. Should a merger with Gillett occur, Petty said the organization would consider every option from relocating to Salisbury, N.C., as has been discussed regardless to moving to Evernham's shop in Statesville, N.C. "We've been in this business 60 years,'' Petty said. "When you look at it this just seems to be the trend of the moment. Do you jump on the trend of the moment or do you stay the course? We've been the same course for 60 years. Whether that's the right course or wrong course I'm not going to say.''(ESPN.com)(9-8-2007)
- Kahne Set To Join California Speedway Walk Of Fame: #9-Kasey Kahne will take his place alongside past California Speedway Nextel Cup race winners when he is inducted into the California Speedway Walk of Fame on Saturday, September 1 at 2:00 pm. Fans can join Speedway officials and Kahne as his footprints, signature and a bronze plaque are preserved in concrete during an enshrinement ceremony held at Gate 12. Kahne, one of NASCAR's brightest and most popular young drivers took home the checkered flag at last year's Labor Day weekend Nextel Cup race at California Speedway. In earning the win, Kahne's average race speed of 144.462 mph set a new record for fastest average race speed in California Speedway's September Cup race. Kahne joins Jeff Gordon ('97, '99 & 04), Mark Martin ('98), Jeremy Mayfield ('00), Rusty Wallace ('01), Jimmie Johnson ('02), Kurt Busch ('03), Elliott Sadler ('04), Kyle Busch ('05), Greg Biffle ('05) and Matt Kenseth ('06) as drivers to be enshrined at the Speedway's Walk of Fame.(California Speedway)(8-28-2007)
- Kahne to run at Knoxville: #9-Kasey Kahne will return to competition at the Knoxville Raceway on Wednesday night, August 8, 2007 as he attempts to qualify for the 47th Annual SuperClean Knoxville Nationals. He will drive the car # 91, owned by Kasey Kahne Mororsports, and team with Joey Saldana in the Kasey Kahne #9. Kahne last competed in the Knoxville Nationals in 2003. In recent years Kasey has spent time at Knoxville as a car owner and fan, but the cockpit has beckoned. This year’s purse of over $913,000 and the winner’s share of $150,000 might just help pay for the jet fuel between Knoxville and Watkins Glen, NY where he will practice, qualify and compete in the NASCAR event this weekend as well. Reserved seats for the 4-day Knoxville Nationals are still available online at www.knoxvilleraceway.com or at the ticket windows on race days. Complete event schedules are available online as well. SPEED will air the event live, Saturday August 11th at 9:00pm/et.(8-8-2007)
- OFFICIAL: Evernham & Gillett Partner to Create Gillett Evernham Motorsports: Today [8/6/2007], Ray Evernham and George N. Gillett, Jr. announced the creation of Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM), a partnership combining Evernham Motorsports [#9, #10, #19 teams] and the Gillett family where Evernham will remain a substantial owner and retain the title of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The strength of Evernham’s championship on-track performance and Gillett’s off-track sports business experience creates a high-performance, high-energy platform to establish GEM’s value and appeal to fans and sponsors, on and off the track. Recognizing that the rate of change off-track has exceeded the change on-track in the past few years, Evernham forged a relationship with Gillett, whose diverse holdings offer unique business-to-business opportunities, sponsorship activation and fulfillment that will revolutionize what sponsors can expect from a NASCAR team. Gillett is the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League (NHL) team and a co-owner of the Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League. Gillett’s other business interests include the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens and Gillett Entertainment Group (GEG), producers of some 700 sporting and entertainment events in numerous venues throughout Canada and the United States. GEM will benefit from Gillett’s existing network of sports and entertainment properties, resorts, auto dealerships and auto franchises offering unique access to sponsors and partners and a powerful global connection that no other team can offer.
“It’s very exciting for me to deliver to sponsors and fans the opportunity to align with a worldwide sports leader,” said Evernham, CEO of GEM. “With the business acumen of the Gillett family and its sports brands, we’ve greatly expanded our reach. This will allow me to focus on our racing operations and team performance, while the Gillett family will focus on our business operations. It certainly allows us to capitalize on our strengths and position GEM for long-term success both on and off the track.”
“Racing is in my blood,” said Gillett, chairman of Booth Creek Management Corporation (BCMC). “It’s not often you get to partner with a leader with Ray’s reputation, talent and championship legacy.” The transaction was initiated and negotiated by Matthew Doherty at McLaren Capital Partners in Los Angeles. Wachovia Securities advised BCMC.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports-GEM PR)(8-6-2007)
- Evernham-Gillett deal could be done by Monday..at the latest: UPDATE: Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett told the [St Petersburg] Times on Thursday there is a "95% chance" his purchase into Evernham Motorsports will be final by today or Monday at the latest. Gillett, 67, who has had stakes or complete control of the Harlem Globetrotters, Miami Dolphins and currently the Liverpool Football Club, would not divulge his percentage of ownership, but Ray Evernham has stated in the past it would be a majority. Gillett, whose net worth was estimated at $250-million in 2006. Gillett also owns a series of organic and natural foods companies, ski resorts and car dealerships. The Wisconsin native said he had been interested in acquiring part of a NASCAR team for three years but was seeking the right partner and "we weren't interested in just coming in and bringing money." He found his partner and a jovial friendship with Evernham, 49, who won three championships and 47 races as Jeff Gordon's crew chief, but had struggled recently to field a competitive team as costs skyrocketed. "We've got some fairly novel ideas that Ray's been developing and we've been developing together," Gillett said. "It's fair to say Ray's primary emphasis and time commitment will be on the racing side."
"My partnership with Gillett is not about needing money," Evernham said. "It's about growing this company."(St Petersburg Times)(8-3-2007)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports is expected to announce George Gillett Jr. as its new majority owner as early as today. Ray Evernham said Saturday that the deal is in place. Evernham said he's willing to surrender control of his operation to bring in Gillett's business acumen. The move will enable Evernham to refocus his energies on his strength, the competition side of the industry. Evernham, who currently fields cars for Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, said he expected to make multiple major announcements this week, fueling speculation that Budweiser could be coming aboard as a sponsor in 2008. (USA Today)(8-6-2007)
- Dodge Reconfirms Commitment to NASCAR: Mike Delahanty, senior manager of the Dodge Motorsports program, confirmed on Saturday at Pocono Raceway the manufacturer's long-term intent to remain in the series and an extension of Petty Enterprises' deal with Dodge. He also said its flagship Evernham Motorsports cars might have a different look next season. Cerberus Capital Management, an investment group, this week finalized its agreement to split the Chrysler brands away from DaimlerChrysler, but Delahanty said Dodge's motorsports involvement would not be affected, with the plan for four teams to run 10 cars next season. Delahanty declined to go into the details of rumors that connect Ray Evernham's team to possible deals with commercial sponsors such as Budweiser or a Masterfoods brand such as Snickers -- but said the #9 and 19 Dodges, which have carried Dodge Dealers and UAW sponsorship since the newest program began in 2001, might look different next season.(NASCAR.com)(8-5-2007)
- Dodge Reconfirms Commitment to NASCAR: Mike Delahanty, senior manager of the Dodge Motorsports program, confirmed on Saturday at Pocono Raceway the manufacturer's long-term intent to remain in the series and an extension of Petty Enterprises' deal with Dodge. He also said its flagship Evernham Motorsports cars might have a different look next season. Cerberus Capital Management, an investment group, this week finalized its agreement to split the Chrysler brands away from DaimlerChrysler, but Delahanty said Dodge's motorsports involvement would not be affected, with the plan for four teams to run 10 cars next season. Delahanty declined to go into the details of rumors that connect Ray Evernham's team to possible deals with commercial sponsors such as Budweiser or a Masterfoods brand such as Snickers -- but said the #9 and 19 Dodges, which have carried Dodge Dealers and UAW sponsorship since the newest program began in 2001, might look different next season.(NASCAR.com)(8-5-2007)
- Dodge may be willing to make room for Bud on #9 Dodge: Dodge Motorsports may be willing to give up its logo on the hood of #9-Kasey Kahne's Nextel Cup car if a deal can be finalized with Budweiser. "The company is always looking for good long-term relationships,'' said Darryl Jackson, the vice president of sales for Chrysler. "Budweiser or whoever is a very, very solid brand. It brings with it a very good clientele base of which just so happens to line up with us pretty well from a Dodge perspective."
Kahne is Budweiser's top choice to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recently announced he would not keep the beer company as his primary sponsor at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 and that he was ending his personal services deal. One of the obstacles standing in the way was Dodge Motorsports, which would have to put aside its long-term deal to be on the hood of Kahne's car. Team owner Ray Evernham, who has been negotiating with Budweiser, said the deal would help alleviate some of the financial strain on Dodge. Evernham added he has several other options for Kahne's sponsor. "I am in favor of bringing any sponsors in that increase the awareness of our brand,'' Jackson said.
Jackson added that the recent purchase of Chrysler by Cerberus will not impact Dodge's commitment to motorsports. "We haven't really talked specifically on the aspect of racing, but Tom LaSorda runs the Chrysler Group,'' Jackson said. "Tom LaSorda is committed to racing.... We have long-term contracts and commitments and we will honor those long-term contracts and commitments, and they are long term."(ESPN.com)(7-30-2007)
- Evernham-Gillett deal close: George Gillett, the owner of the Montreal Canadiens and a co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team confirmed Sunday that his company will close a deal to buy part of Evernham Motorsports in the next two weeks. "That's our hope," Gillett said in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage. "That's our expectation. We will close within [two weeks]. Yes." Gillett would not say what percentage of the team he would own, but Ray Evernham has indicated that Gillett would be a majority owner. The deal will allow Evernham to focus more on the competition side instead of the business side, something the former Jeff Gordon crew chief already has started doing.(SceneDaily.com)(7-30-2007)
- Evernham Motorsports to 2006 Dodge: Evernham Motorsports will run the remaining non-Car of Tomorrow races with the 2006 Dodge Charger and without technical director Eric Warren. Warren was recently given a leave of absence after team owner Ray Evernham discovered critical changes regarding aerodynamics and simulation software were made to the 2007 car after an early-season test at Las Vegas. He said those changes weren't reflected in the cars that were built moving forward, leading to less than stellar results on the track. "So we basically have spent half a year trying to build a foundation that didn't exist," Evernham said on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The information that we had was nonexistent. We had to go back to doing things the normal way and put cars in the wind tunnel to find out there was a huge difference. In the end, when you have people that are responsible for performance and the performance is way off you have to make changes in those people," Evernham said. "Ultimately, the [changes] aerodynamically and simulation-wise were the responsibility of the engineering department and that was led by Eric Warren. Right now Eric is on leave until we decide if we're going to put him in another position or find a happy medium and let him go somewhere else," he said. Evernham said he and competition director Sammy Johns have taken over Warren's duties. He added that his move to the competition side has delayed finalizing his partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett and a few sponsorship deals. He expects the deal with Gillett to be complete within the next 14 days, at which point he also hopes to announce new sponsors for 2008. Among the sponsors interested in joining EMS is Budweiser, which would like Kahne to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. as its NASCAR spokesperson.(ESPN.com)(7-27-2007)
- Evernham admits relationship hurt driver's [Crocker] career: Team owner Ray Evernham says the best thing for developmental driver Erin Crocker is to find a new race team. "I don't think it's any secret that because of the personal relationship between Erin and I it hurt her career," Evernham said on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The proper thing to do and something her and I would like to do is move her to another race team. I think the girl has a lot of talent. But if I sit here and say to somebody, 'Look, she's got a lot of talent, you should sponsor her,' my credibility is not good because of the personal relationship," he said. Evernham, who turns 50 in August, began dating the 26-year-old Crocker last season.(ESPN.com)(7-27-2007)
- Evernham/Gillett deal could close this week: Team owner [#9,#10,#19] Ray Evernham’s partnership agreement with [NHL Montral Canadian's owner] George Gillett, Jr., is expected to close next week, said a source familiar with the deal. And a whole host of sponsor possibilities are in play on the Evernham Motorsports Nextel Cup cars of #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Elliott Sadler, according to multiple sources. Evernham would neither confirm nor deny the merger timetable Sunday morning at Chicagoland Speedway, saying only, “We’re working towards closing the deal.” With the sale of Chrysler Group to investment-banking firm Cerberus Capital Partners pending, it would make sense that Evernham Motorsports would seek additional sponsorship for its Nextel Cup operations. Cerberus, an investor known for sharp cost-cutting of the companies it acquires, may be willing to relinquish sponsorship rights to the two Evernham cars next season, something Dodge was unwilling to do last year when a major sponsor approached Evernham about becoming Kahne’s primary sponsor, a deal that ultimately was rejected by the automaker. Evernham said Sunday he has a contract with Dodge through 2010 and confirmed he is one of a half-dozen teams who have talked with Budweiser about taking over the brewing company’s sponsorship deal in 2008, now that Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. are out of the running. There are other options for Kahne beyond Budweiser. Fast-food giant McDonald’s, who already has a minor associate position on the #9 of Kahne, could step up to become primary of Kahne’s car, as the company is looking towards re-establishing its presence in NASCAR, sources said Sunday. Another sponsor said to be looking closely at Kahne’s car is Coca-Cola, which in May agreed to buy Vitamin Water maker Glaceau for $4.1 billion in cash. Kahne is a national pitchman for Vitamin Water and an integral part of its marketing campaign. Kahne said he’s OK with however the sponsorship situation shakes out. “Myself, I’m with Ray Evernham for 2008 and whatever he decides to do that’s a good deal. I’m behind him,” Kahne said Friday.(SPEEDtv.com)
AND: Evernham said he's also talked to other sponsors -- sources said Allstate is one -- about being on Kahne's car and reiterated that Budweiser is talking to other teams. Among Budweiser's options is staying at Dale Earnhart Inc., where it has been since 2000.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2007)
- Budweiser to Evernham? UPDATE: hearing that Budweiser could sponsor one of the Evernham Motorsports teams in 2008, leaving DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. it could be the sponsor for Kasey Kahne if Dodge lets him out of their sponsor deal of the #9 and if Bud feels Kahne meets their demographics, or even #19-Elliott Sadler team. Supposedly DEI could still be in play for the Bud sponsor, but looks like Bud will not follow Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports and that Pepsi/Mountain Dew will sponsor Dale Jr. in 2008.(7-10-2007)
UPDATE: Budweiser officials are shopping around for their best sponsorship option in NASCAR, a clear indication that the beer company will not sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports next season, sources confirmed Tuesday. It's expected that PepsiCo Inc., possibly with the Mountain Dew brand or a combination of Pepsi products, will sponsor Earnhardt next season in the #5 Chevy [or possibly the #8] for Hendrick. And Anheuser-Busch is negotiating with Evernham Motorsports to possibly move the Bud sponsorship to Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge next season. Budweiser officials also have contacted officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway about the possibility of holding a news conference at the Lowe's Speedway Club next week if a new team sponsorship agreement is reached. An Evernham Motorsports official said Tuesday that no agreement has been reached with Budweiser and that the Evernham marketing department was talking to several other companies about potential sponsorships for 2008. Team owner Ray Evernham has an agreement with Dodge, through the Dodge Dealers, to sponsor both Kahne's car and the #19 Dodge of Elliott Sadler through 2010. The Dodge dealers would have to sign off on any deal to allow Budweiser to move to Kahne's car.
One source close to the negotiations told ESPN.com that it's still possible Budweiser could stay at Dale Earnhardt Inc., depending on whom DEI signs to replace Earnhardt. Budweiser officials now have targeted four other drivers they would consider sponsoring next season, including Kahne. The other three drivers are not known.(more at ESPN.com)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham says reports that he is close to signing a deal with Budweiser for next season are unfounded. Published reports this week have linked Budweiser with Evernham driver #9-Kasey Kahne for the 2008 season, and while Evernham confirmed that conversations have taken place, he said there is no truth to rumors that he will announce the new deal next week. "We have talked to Budweiser, but they have also spoken to five or six other teams in the Nextel Cup garage," he said.(Motorsports Soapbox).(7-13-2007)
- Kahne wants out of Evernham? UPDATE denied: #9-Kasey Kahne's frustration at Evernham Motorsports has forced him to ask out of his contract, according to Fox Sports. Kahne reportedly wants the freedom to negotiate with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008. Dodge got a new front bumper this year, and so far it's been a big challenge to figure out. Kahne has one top-10 finish this year and is 26th in the standings.(Augusta Chronicle)
AND it was reported on Tuesday's NASCAR Now [ESPN2 6:30pm/et] that DEI has not spoken to Kahne about ride and that Evernham and Dodge have Kahne under contract and do not plan on losing Kahne.(7-6-2007)
UPDATE: #9-Kasey Kahne denied on Thursday a report that he would leave Evernham Motorsports after this season and move to Dale Earnhardt Inc. or another Nextel Cup organization. "I've had plenty of different teams calling to talk to me because we're running bad," said Kahne, who is 26th in points a year after making the championship chase and winning a series-high six races. "I haven't talked to any other teams. I have never once talked to another team owner. It's just another reporter putting something out there with no facts. It's not true," he said. Kahne has a deal at Evernham Motorsports through the 2010 season. Team owner Ray Evernham said there are no plans to let Kahne out of the contract and that his impending partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. would not provide an out.
"There are ways to purchasing," he said. "Whether it's stocks or assets makes a huge difference." Evernham added that Kahne has given no indication he wants out of his deal. "Right now what we're trying to do is get this thing sorted out," he said. "Kasey has been one of my biggest supporters. The way he's jumped in, you'd think he was my partner. I'm really proud of him."(ESPN.com)(7-6-2007)
- Movie scheme for Kahne at Daytona UPDATE - image: #9-Kasey Kahne will be running a special paint scheme on his Evernham Motorsports Dodge to promote the new Universal Pictures’ comedy starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Jessica Biel, “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.” The film will be released in theaters on July 20. In “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry”, Sandler and James team as two straight firefighters who stumble down the aisle with the best of intentions. Through one comic mishap after another, the duo is forced to answer the question, “How far would you go for a friend?” #9 will feature a bright yellow, black and red graphics wrap that showcases flames shooting over the hood and up the sides of the black racecar. The firefighters’ seal will adorn the hood along with the movie title. Additionally, the firefighters’ seal will be located on both sides of the car, along with the title on the quarter panels. This is the third time that Evernham Motorsports has partnered with Happy Madison Productions, Sandler and producer Jack Giarraputo . Previously, Kahne ran special graphics wraps to promote the “The Longest Yard” and “Click”.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(7-4-2007)
IMAGE: see a small image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(7-5-2007)
- Evernham tests on....NASA Runway at KSC: A team in NASCAR's elite Nextel Cup Series wrapped up its second visit to Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility on Friday, using the nearly 3-mile-long runway to gauge aerodynamics of its race cars. Evernham Motorsports took a test version of one of its new Dodge Avengers -- the Car of Tomorrow [COT] that debuted this season in Nextel Cup -- to the runway for a shakedown this week and also earlier this year, Keith Rodden, a car director for the Statesville, N.C.-based team, said Friday. Rodden said he believes Evernham was the first and only NASCAR team to test at KSC. NASA charges a fee for use of the facility. The amount assessed to Evernham Motorsports was not made available by NASA on Friday.(Florida Today)(6-30-2007)
- Evernham to Host New ESPN2 Garage Program: Beginning in July, NASCAR team owner [#9,#10,#19] Ray Evernham will be the featured host of a new and unique racing program on ESPN2. Part of the ESPN2 Garage group of motorsports and automotive shows, Race Wizard with Ray Evernham will premiere at 11:00am/et Saturday, July 7 [after NASCAR Now]. The innovative new show will provide racing fans an entertaining look at the intriguing technical aspects and little-known inner-workings of motorsports and racing. Race Wizard is created for and by NASCAR fans, who will go behind the scenes of the racing world through “person on the street” interviews with one of racing’s brightest minds and most successful team owners. “ESPN has such a legacy in this sport and deserves a great deal of credit for turning NASCAR into one of the most popular sports today,” Evernham said. “Through Race Wizard, I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned in this sport over the years and help viewers understand how technology and innovation are giving teams the edge in competition today.” Sample Race Wizard topics include: Fast Car Basics – A fan’s question on the basics of racing answered, including “How do spoilers on the back of a car increase speed?”; Girl’s Guide – Women have the “need for speed,” too, and this vignette is for them, answering “Why do race cars swerve during caution laps?”; and Race Day – Focusing on improving the fan’s experience in racing by answering, “Where is the best place to sit to watch a race?”(ESPN PR)(6-29-2007)
- Evernham close to a deal to sale part of team: UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham expects to finalize the sale of an unspecified portion of his Nextel Cup Series operation to Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. within 60 to 90 days, the team owner told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "It's not done, but we're working on it pretty hard," Evernham said. "Honestly, I'm flying to Chicago and we're hammering through some things. Things are looking really positive, but it's not done. Quite honestly, it's not going to be done for another 60 to 90 days. It takes a long, long time, but it looks good. We've agreed to go forward, but there's so much legal stuff that's got to be done. It takes months. I feel positive it'll get done. I really do." Evernham chose not to divulge the exact percentage of his company Gillett would acquire, but did say both gentlemen would have a "substantial stake in the business side of things." Evernham also said he would still run EMS' day-to-day operations. Evernham said there are multiple contracts to wade through and further due diligence to complete. Once done, Evernham says the deal would instantly elevate EMS toward the Nextel Cup elite.(ESPN.com)(5-30-2007)
UPDATE: Nextel Cup owner Ray Evernham took another step on Wednesday toward finalizing his partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr., informing his more than 35 sponsors collectively on how the deal will work. Evernham has been negotiating for months an agreement that will give Gillett substantial ownership of his organization. He told sponsors the partnership will allow him to focus more on the competition side of the business and provide him with the resources to keep up with top organizations. The final terms aren't expected to be completed for another two to three months. "A partnership with the Gillett Group would bring excellent resources to Evernham Motorsports,'' Evernham told his sponsors. "Not only does George Gillett offer incredible business experience, his team has deep knowledge of how to successfully manage sports organizations. "This partnership would also benefit our partners at Evernham Motorsports with new business-to-business marketing opportunities." Evernham told his sponsors he would continue to own a significant part of EMS and remain the CEO. "It is an excellent opportunity that would benefit the entire organization,'' he said.(ESPN.com)(6-6-2007)
UPDATE 2: Evernham said a partnership with Gillett is getting closer, perhaps two months away from being completed. Evernham said he'd love to announce a deal in Montreal in early August for NASCAR's first-ever Busch Series race there."That'd be awesome," he said. "That would be good incentive for the attorneys to hurry up and get it done."(Yahoo! Sports)(6-17-2007)
- Some teams looking to add 4th team: The season is not even half over and several teams say they want to expand for next season. Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing have said they'd like to expand to four cars next year. There have been hints other teams might look add a team. How many actually do will depend on what kind of sponsorship they can find.(Greensboro News and Record)(6-16-2007)
- Old Nose for Evernham cars at MIS? UPDATE: hearing that the Evernham Motorsports Dodge Chargers will be running 2006 noses this weekend at Michigan.(6-13-2007)
UPDATE: #9-Kahne is running the 2006 Dodge nose, but #19- Sadler and #10-Riggs are using the current nose.(SPEED's MIS Practice coverage)(6-15-2007)
- Kahne/Johnson to drive in Speed GT race at LMS: Woodhouse Performance announced that #9-Kasey Kahne will pilot the #13 Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper Competition Coupe in the SPEED World Challenge series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Kahne joins #48-Jimmie Johnson in the SCCA Pro-Racing GT Series race, which will take place following CTC's presentation of NEXTEL Cup qualifying Thursday night May 24. Woodhouse Performance has been competing in the SPEED World Challenge GT Series for the past four years with team owner Bob Woodhouse, 61, behind the wheel of the #13 Viper. Teammate to Kahne at Charlotte will be Woodhouse Performance driver Jeff Courtney, who pilots the #99 Kenda Tires/ProMPI Dodge Viper Competition Coupe.(Clear!Blue PR)(5-16-2007)
- Kahne-Stremme feud simmers: #9-Kasey Kahne said things haven’t cooled down between himself and #40-David Stremme.
The two were involved in a wreck last Sunday at Richmond, knocking both drivers out of the race. Stremme finished 38th and Kahne 40th.
The drivers, along with #42-Juan Pablo Montoya and #41-Reed Sorenson appeared together Thursday during a photo shoot, but Kahne said he didn’t speak to Stremme. “We’re trying to get some sponsors and some big deals, and I don’t want to screw it up by getting in a fistfight or anything like that with David Stremme,” Kahne said. Kahne said he hopes to talk to Stremme this weekend and iron things out. “I have my opinion and he has his, but it is not that big of deal,” Kahne said. “… Just racing with David hasn’t ever worked for me.”(Florence Morning News)(5-12-2007)
- Evernham close to a partner: Montreal Canadiens owner George N. Gillett is close to a partnership arrangement with Evernham Motorsports [#9, #10, #19]. Gillett, who also is the owner of the Liverpool soccer team in the English Premier League, would be the second major sports team owner to join NASCAR this season, following Red Sox owner John Henry's buy-in to what is now Roush Fenway Racing.(Sporting News)(5-7-2007)
- Kahne joins annual White House Easter Egg Roll: The 2007 Easter Egg Roll was held on April 9, 2007 on the South Lawn of the White House. Special guest readers included NASCAR driver #9-Kasey Kahne and actor Stephen Baldwin - both members of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Shrek, Bugs Bunny, Charlie Brown, Clifford the Big Red Dog, the Official White House Easter Bunnies and many other strolling characters also entertained children.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(4-13-2007)
- NHL Owner meets with Evernham UPDATE; George Gillett Jr., the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League team and co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team in England, has talked with NASCAR teams, including Evernham Motorsports, team owner Ray Evernham confirmed Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "I've talked to a lot of people," Evernham said. "George is one of the people I'm talking to. When I said I was looking for a partner [earlier this year], the phone has been ringing and ringing. I met George. He is a really cool guy. But we don't have anything done." Evernham has invited Gillett to come to Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 this weekend.(SceneDaily.com)(3-10-2007)
UPDATE: Ray Evernham may be getting closer to finding a business partner for Evernham Motorsports. George Gillett Jr., the owner of the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team in England, will be at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Gillett also met with Evernham at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two weeks ago. "We're still talking," Evernham said on Friday. "It's a matter of getting the right partner and getting the right timing. It's not about the money. I need the right partner. I want to win a championship." Evernham said he hasn't discussed how much of EMS will be sold. "I just need somebody that's going to come in and bring people that are interested in providing technology and sponsorship to the race team," he said. Evernham would like to find a partner that could take over some of his business duties, such as dealing with sponsors. "I want to work on race cars again," said Evernham, who won three championship as the crew chief for Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports. "That's what I do, work on the cars with my guys and go fast. I need a partner who can do his side and I can do my side."(ESPN.com)(3-23-2007)
- California Policeman Selected as Kahne's Assistant: The selection process was tough and the interviews were intense, but the winner of the Kasey Kahne Dream Job contest was up to the challenge - and took home the top prize for his efforts. David Metzger from Fremont, Calif., was named the winner after final interviews at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 9. Metzger, a policeman with the Atherton Police Department and a member of the San Mateo Narcotics Task Force, was one of three finalists who traveled to Las Vegas for the judging and the weekend's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race. Metzger was selected for his problem-solving skills, commitment to improving performance, creative thinking and ability to deal with pressure on the job. The contest, sponsored by Dodge Motorsports, offered contestants an opportunity to be Kahne's assistant at the Dodge Avenger 500 Nextel Cup race on May 12 at Darlington Raceway. More than 20,000 fans entered the contest. Almost 116,000 people voted for the nine semifinalists. The top three finalists were Kelli Quattlebaum of Greenville, S.C., received the most votes with 33,251. David Metzger from Fremont, Calif., received 20,891 votes and Erin Coates of Dubuque, Iowa., received 13,028 votes. Metzger will spend four days at the Evernham Motorsports headquarters in Statesville and work with the Marketing Department scheduling Kahne'sat-track activities for the Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Duties will also include working with the marketing and public relations team to get Kahne to all the appearances, media interviews, on-track and NASCAR-mandated responsibilities on his schedule that weekend.(Clear!Blue PR)(3-12-2007)
- McDonald's scheme for Kahne at Las Vegas: The #9 Dodge Charger that Kasey Kahne drives will be sporting a special McDonald’s paint scheme this weekend in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(3-7-2007)
- #9 Team Penalties Upheld by Commission: On March 5, 2007, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Evernham Motorsports regarding the #9 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-qualifying inspection on February 11, 2007 for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20-2.1E “Unapproved aerodynamic modification.”
The penalties assessed were:
- Loss of 50 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Ray Evernham.
- Loss of 50 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Kasey Kahne.
- $50,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next four (4) NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until March 21, 2007 (not including testing) for crew chief Ken Francis.
The Appellants did not contest the legality of the violations, nor appeal the fine or suspensions, but appealed the severity of the point penalties. The Appellants presented an argument that lesser penalties had been previously issued to other teams for more egregious violations, and that the magnitude of this penalty ranked amongst the largest for comparable violations.
In deciding the Appeal, the Commission considered several factors:
- Evernham Motorsports does not have a history of multiple rules violations.
- These infractions were premeditated and intentional. They constituted serious violations
In the judgment of the Commission, the penalties assessed are severe by the standards of a year or more ago. However, Commission members were advised that NASCAR executives had announced to contestants at a driver briefing in mid-2006 that the previous “benchmark” penalty standards for many serious violations would likely be increased going forward. Subsequent to that, two 50-point penalties were assessed during the 2006 season. Therefore, by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-5-2007)
- Appeals to be heard next week: Penalty appeals for four Nextel Cup teams accused of breaking NASCAR's equipment rules leading up to the Daytona 500 will be heard early next week, NASCAR officials told ESPN.com on Tuesday. The appeals for Kasey Kahne's #9 team and Matt Kenseth's #17 team will be heard on March 5 in North Carolina. Appeals for Scott Riggs' #10 team and Elliott Sadler's #19 team will be heard the following day, also in North Carolina, NASCAR said.(ESPN.com)(2-27-2007)
- Evernham Appeals Penalties to all 3 teams: Appeals for the penalties passed out to the Nextel Cup teams of #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs before the Daytona 500 were filed on Wednesday by owner Ray Evernham. Roush Fenway Racing filed an appeal on the penalties against Matt Kenseth's #17 team on Saturday. Evernham said before Sunday's race he was most concerned about the severity of the penalties, particularly the points deductions, and the damage allegations of cheating have done to the reputation of his organization. "That's been tarnished and it bothers me more than anything," Evernham said. Kenny Francis, Kahne's team director [crew chief], was suspended for four weeks and fined $50,000 after NASCAR inspectors discovered that two layers of duct tape covering an air hole near the rear wheel well came off during qualifying. Officials said the first layer had a razor slice in it that they believe was designed to force both layers of tape off. Kahne was docked 50 championship points and Evernham 50 owners' points for what NASCAR deemed a blatant attempt to create an aerodynamic advantage. Rodney Childers and Josh Browne, the team directors for Riggs and Sadler, were suspended for two races and fined $25,000 each when officials discovered the bolts that attach the rear spoiler to the trunk had holes drilled in them to help create an aerodynamic advantage. Their drivers were docked 25 championship points each. Evernham said the bolts were hollowed out to make them lighter and were used in all four restrictor plate races last season without penalty. NASCAR officials said a date for the appeal, to be heard by the National Stock Car Racing Commission, has not been set.(ESPN.com)(2-21-2007)
- Kahne joins the Gillette Young Guns: Kasey Kahne was announced as the new addition to the Gillette Young Guns family [replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr.] in an elaborate Daytona 500 pre-race ceremony on Sunday, February 18. Kahne officially joins #2-Kurt
Busch, #99-Carl Edwards, #26-Jamie McMurray, #12-Ryan Newman and #48-Jimmie Johnson as Gillette Young Guns. In addition to Kahne's debut, Gillette also unveiled a new, high-energy ad campaign, entitled "Prank Revenge," during FOX's telecast of the Daytona 500. "Prank Revenge" will run exclusively during NASCAR programming throughout the 2007 NASCAR season. Fans can also view the commercial by logging onto GilletteYoungGuns.com.(Alan Taylor Communications PR)(2-18-2007)
- Evernham names interim crew chiefs/team directors: Team owner Ray Evernham will sit atop the pit box for Evernham Motorsports' #19 Dodge driven by Elliott Sadler during the Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying race Thursday, team officials confirmed Wednesday. Evernham will share responsibilities as team director, Evernham's vernacular for crew chief, with car director Kirk Almquist. Tim Malinovsky and Chad Johnston will serve as Sadler's engineers. Tuesday, NASCAR suspended all three of Evernham's team directors, Kenny Francis (Kasey Kahne's #9 team) for four races and Rodney Childers (Scott Riggs' #10) and Josh Browne (#19) for two apiece. Team enginner Keith Rodden will serve as Kahne's team director, with support from car director Rich Hubbs and engineer Nick Hughes. Kevin Kidd will be Riggs' team director, with support from car director Dave Bryant and engineer Mike Wolfe.(SceneDaily.com)(2-15-2007)
- EMS will not appeal 4-race suspension, may appeal #10, #19 penalties: Team owner Ray Evernham said he won't appeal the four-race suspension to #9 team director Kenny Francis but is still mulling over whether to appeal the two-race suspensions of #19 team director Josh Browne and #10 team director Rodney Childers. Francis, the crew chief for Kasey Kahne, had his car fail post-qualifying inspection Sunday after tape came off holes in the oil tank and the right rear wheelhouse, where a hose would run during race conditions. Francis also was fined $50,000, and the team and driver were docked 50 points. Kahne also will have to start his 150-mile qualifying race for Sunday's Daytona 500 from the rear of the field. Evernham said that one layer of tape had been slit but another had not. He said the tape was found inside the car. He said no extra holes were drilled in the car. Browne and Childers, the team directors for Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, were found to have illegal bolts in their spoiler fasteners prior to qualifying Sunday. They were also fined $25,000, and the team and drivers were docked 25 points. Evernham said those bolts were used in all restrictor-plate races last year and questioned whether it was right for NASCAR to penalize a team for an infraction where the part is presented for inspection prior to an event and found illegal. "I don't know how you find out if something is legal or not until you present it for inspection," Evernham said. "Those parts were used in 2006. The deck lid is sealed up so they cannot be an aerodynamic device. We lighten several bolts on our car." The car owner said he is now "scared to death" wondering if parts that had been raced will be deemed illegal in pre-qualifying inspection and the team will be docked points in the future. "I'm going to be best friends with [NASCAR's] John Darby and Robin Pemberton because I will be at their doorstep, and I will ask every nut, bolt and washer: Is this legal or not legal?" Evernham said. Evernham said he was still deciding exactly how his teams would be organized and who would be interim team directors. He said the teams will use the 150-mile qualifying races as a test to see who will work well in what role.(in part from SceneDaily.com)(2-14-2007)
- Penalties Announced by NASCAR; Suspensions, Fines, Points Taken Away: NASCAR has announced that Robby Reiser and Kenny Francis have each been suspended for 4 races and fined $50,000. In addition, the teams of #17-Matt Kenseth and #9-Kasey Kahne have been penalized 50 owner and driver points. Also, the team directors for Evernham drivers #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs (Rodney Childers and Josh Browne, respectively) have each been suspended for 2 races and fined $25,000 for violations found prior to qualifying on Sunday. Those team have each lost 25 owners and drivers point. No announcement has been made on #55-Michael Waltrip.(2-13-2007)
- Kenseth, Kahne times disallowed UPDATE 4 penalties to be announced today: #9-Kasey Kahne and #17-Matt Kenseth qualifying times/speeds been disallowed, both will start at the end of the 2nd Gatorade Duel race. The #17 and #9 cars were found to have illegal aerodynamic devices/enhancements. NASCAR's Jim Hunter said both infraction is considered as serious as the one that caused #48-Johnson's crew chief to be suspended after Daytona 500 qualifying last year. While the crew chiefs have not been suspended, NASCAR has not rules out anything, penalties are forthcoming. Both Kahne and Kahne will be allowed to start their respective Duel 150's from the rear.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show), #17-Kenseth had qualified 11th, #9-Kahne 28th. See the revised qualifying results on my Daytona Qualifying/Grid Page.(2-11-2007)
UPDATE: The qualifying times for both drivers were disallowed because inspections found unapproved changes to the body of both cars. Kenseth was 11th and Kahne was 28th in the qualifying speeds. Hunter said penalties will follow for both teams, probably in an announcement on Monday. "We found unapproved devices that enhanced the aerodynamics of those cars," Hunter said. "There were holes where it was supposed to be sealed. One of the cars had holes in the wheel well." Both cars will be allowed to start at the back of the second Gatorade Duel qualifying race on Thursday. Both teams are guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 because they were among the top 35 teams in points last year.(ESPN.com)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR is meeting today over the #17 and #9 times being disallowed, penalties will not be announced today [Monday], probably Tuesday or as late as Wednesday this week.(2-12-2007)
UPDATE 3: on ESPN's NASCAR Now, Marty Smith said that NASCAR told him penalties would not be announced until late Tuesday afternoon at the earliest or as late as Wednesday.(2-12-2007)
UPDATE 4: at the beginning of Brian France's State of NASCAR address, there was no announcement on the penalties, but NASCAR Jim Hunter said the announcement would come later this afternoon. Sirius NASCAR Radio reports that the crew chiefs will be suspended immediately, fined and the team/drivers could be penalized points.(2-13-2007)
- Evernham Motorsports Promotes: Evernham Motorsports announced the promotions of four senior team members who, along with Ray Evernham, team owner and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, comprise the leadership of the organization. Rick Russell, who has been with Evernham Motorsports since 2000, was promoted to president in addition to his current responsibilities as general manager and chief financial officer. Dr. Eric Warren was promoted to vice president in addition to his current responsibilities as technical director. A member of Evernham Motorsports since 2002, he leads the company’s engineering operations. Sammy Johns was named vice president in addition to his current responsibilities as competition director. Johns joined Evernham Motorsports as the head of the
team’s research and development effort in April 2001, then stepped into the team director role on the #19 Dodge later that season. He went on to become the competition director at the end of the 2003 season. Mark McArdle was promoted to vice president in addition to his responsibilities as managing director of Evernham Engines.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(1-30-2007)
- Spokesmen named for NASCAR Speedpark: NASCAR SpeedPark, "the official family fun park of NASCAR" announced that #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #11-Denny Hamlin will be the 2007 official spokesmen for NASCAR* SpeedPark's
North American locations in Myrtle Beach, SC, Concord, NC, Sevierville, Tenn., St. Louis, MO and Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. As official NASCAR SpeedPark spokesmen, Kahne, Sadler and Hamlin will make park appearances throughout the year in an effort to enhance the experience of visiting fans by providing autographs and posing for photographs. The 2007 driver appearance schedule will be announced at a later date.(NASCAR Speedpark PR)(1-28-2007)
- Evernham looking for financial partner: Ray Evernham, owner of Evernham Motorsports [#9,#10,#19] is looking for a financial partner to help keep up with rising costs, and he believes other owners will follow suit if they hope to survive. Some already have. Jack Roush is close to a deal that would sell 25-50 percent of Roush Racing to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and Fenway Sports Group. Real estate tycoon Bobby Ginn purchased a reported 80 percent of MB2 Motorsports -- now Ginn Racing -- in August.
Richard Childress sold part of Richard Childress Racing to Chartwell Investments a few years go.(ESPN.com)(1-26-2007)
- Kahne races down under: After two nights of thrilling the crowd at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway in Australia, Kasey Kahne's ability to stay inconspicuous may have come to an end. He finished fourth Monday in the second of two Kasey Kahne International Sprintcars/Coca-Cola Track Championship races at the .28-mile dirt oval in Grenville, a victim of a poor qualifying run that left him with a 14th-place starting position. Kahne was only 20th fastest of the 59 entries during time trials, but won his heat race and steadily worked his way through the field during the A-main feature to finish behind red-hot North Dakota native Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana in one of Kahne's team cars and Australian Peter Murphy, now a resident of Fresno, Calif. Steve Kinser also raced.(more at NASCAR.com)(1-2-2007)
2006 News
- Evernham Announces 2007 Paint Schemes: Dodge and Evernham Motorsports announced today new primary paint schemes for the #9 and 19 Dodges of drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler for the 2007 season. The two cars are near mirror images of each other, but both carry the distinctive bold red color of the Dodge brand and signature Ram logo on the hood. Kahne’s racing colors will flip from 2006 to 2007, moving the red from the top side of the Dodge to the bottom and bringing white to the hood and roof areas of the car. The number will again be black on the sides and roof of the Dodge. Sadler’s Dodge will be the reverse of Kahne’s, with red adorning the hood and roof areas of the car and white on the lower portions of the side panels, growing more dominant as it reaches the rear of the car and eventually fully covering the back end from the rear quarter panel.(Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #9 Team Scheme page and #19 Team Scheme page.(12-8-2006)
- Dodge Presents Viper SRT10 to Kahne: Dodge Motorsports presented #9-Kasey Kahne with a new Dodge Viper SRT10 sports car at Phoenix International Raceway Friday morning to mark his circuit-leading six victories and spot in the Nextel Chase for the Championship. The Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe, with "Race Inspired, Street Legal" styling and performance, are the ultimate American sports cars and icons of the Dodge brand. The Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe offer an 8.3-liter 510-horsepower V-10 engine with acceleration of 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range. The distinctive styling features Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines.(Clear!Blue PR)(11-11-2006)
- New scheme for Kahne rest of 2006: #9-Kasey Kahne will carry Chrysler Financial on-board the #9 Dodge for the remainder of the season.(Clear!Blue/Evernham Motorsports PR)(11-9-2006)
IMAGE: see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(11-15-2006)
- Dale Jr. Opts out of Young Guns Program; Kahne In?: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't renew his membership in the Gillette Young Guns program next year as he seeks to refine his endorsement strategy, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.
The razor company is in the process of formulating plans for 2007 and is not expected to make an announcement on changes until February at Daytona International Speedway, staff writer Michael Smith reports. The Young Gun program this year included Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards.(SceneDaily.com), hearing Kasey Kahne is in line to replace Earnhardt Jr.(11-8-2006)
- McDonald's scheme for #9 at Atlanta: Kasey Kahne will drive the #9 McDonald's/Dodge Dealers Dodge at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. Kahne also ran a McDonald's scheme at Chicago and this will be the same but the decklid will feature vitaminwater.(Clear!Blue PR), see a couple images of the scheme on the #9 Team Schemes Page.(10-26-2006)
- #9 Dodge “Nitro” scheme to run at Texas: At the upcoming Nextel Cup Series event at Texas Motor Speedway, Evernham Motorsports’ driver Kasey Kahne will race a special kind of “hot” rod – a Dodge Charger sporting a special paint scheme promoting the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro. Kahne won the spring race at the speedway, one of his series-leading six wins this season. The Dodge Nitro is a mid-size SUV with bold styling and masculine swagger. The R/T model comes standard with a 4.0 liter SOHC V-6 engine, performance suspension and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels with performance tires. Optional features include entertainment and communication technologies, including MP3, CD, DVD, USB, VES (video entertainment system) and the new MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System. MyGIG allows consumers to use touch screen or voice commands to control all of Nitro’s entertainment and communication technologies, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive for storing music and photos. Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge “Nitro” will carry electrifying red and yellow lightening bolts across the hood and doors, along with an image of the unique Dodge Nitro on the nose. The rear quarter panels and trunk will continue the lightening bolt theme, capped by a bright yellow spoiler. For more information on the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro, visit www.Dodge.com.(Clear!Blue PR)(10-24-2006)
- Kahne wins at Charlotte: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway for his 6th win of the 2006 season and 7th or his career, leading 134 of 334 laps and getting himself back into The Chase. #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 2nd, followed by #31-Jeff Burton, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #43-Bobby Labonte [for his top-5 of the season]. Rounding out the top-10 was #5-Busch, #96-Raines, #99-Edwards, #01-Nemechek and #25-Vickers. Raines and Nemechek scored their first top-10's of the season. Points leader #31-Jeff Burton increased his points lead from 6 points to 45 over Matt Kenseth. #24-Gordon lost an engine late in the race, finished 24th and is now 216 points back with 5 races to go. #6-Martin was involved in a wreck and hit the wall head on, but is ok, finished 30th and fell to 4th in points [-102pts] from 2nd [-6 pts]. #11-Denny Hamlin was involved in a lap 2 wreck, the crew fixed the car allowing Hamlin to gain 13 spots [41st to 28th] in the race with the 14 DNF's. There were 10 cautions for 52 laps and 13 drivers lead the race with 34 lead changes.
Race Results on my Charlotte Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Charlotte page
Race Rundown: see my Charlotte Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(10-14-2006)
- Kahne to run blue scheme at LMS: Kasey Kahne will be running a special paint scheme this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway on his #9 Dodge Charger which will be painted with Blue Camouflage and Mopar’s signature “M” on the hood.(Clear!Blue PR), see an image on the #9 Team Schemes page.(10-11-2006)
- Evernham expanding in 2007: Evernham Motorsports has won a race in each of its six seasons and qualified for all three editions of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. But success has come with a price. Once able to field cars with $10 million apiece annually and about 60 crewmembers, Evernham has a staff of 330 and says he needs $20 million a car to be competitive. Next year, the team will add a part-time fourth Charger while spending more on the Car of Tomorrow. Evernham estimates his budget will need to grow by $8 million for software, technology and personnel.(USA Today - in part), the team currently fields three Cup teams, one part time Busch team and a Truck Series team.(10-4-2006)
- Mopar scheme for Kahne at LMS: #9-Kasey Kahne is scheduled to drive a Mopar scheme at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 14th, see an image of the scheme on the #9 Team Schemes page.(9-30-2006)
- Fan Designs Kahne's scheme for Richmond: Race fans had a chance to leave a lasting impression on Kasey Kahne and the whole #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge team in a national contest put on by Dodge Motorsports. Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s Brandon Reinders’ did just that. He came up with the winning paint scheme design that will run on Kasey Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The scheme, which incorporates the classic Dodge red and traditional Dodge logos, integrates a bold white flame job with fluorescent-yellow highlighting. It was an original design by Reinders, who was basing his design off of a paint scheme that Kahne ran last season. As the grand prize winner, Reinders will receive a three day, two night trip for two to Richmond, Va. this weekend; tickets for two to the Nextel Cup series race on Saturday night and a 2006 Dodge Charger SXT. Reinders and other entrants visited www.designachargerracecar.com to register for the contest and develop a design for Kahne’s Dodge Charger using the online design tools. The winning entry was selected based on: originality (50%), creativity (25%) and Dodge themed (25%). Contest entries were accepted through July 16th. The winning entry was selected shortly thereafter. In addition to the grand prize, there were a number of instant winners that received prizes just for registering in the contest.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(9-8-2006)
- Kahne wins at California: #9-Kasey Kahne won the SONY HD 500 at California Speedway for 5th win of 2006 and 6th of his career, Kahne dominated the race, leading 130 of the 250 laps. Kahne also won the Busch Series race at California on Saturday night. Kahne overcame a pit road speeding penalty to win the race. #41-Reed Sorenson was leading with 2 laps to go, trying to stretch the fuel mileage, but ran out of gas and finished 19th. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 2nd, followed by #07-Bowyer [best career finish], #99-Edwards, #24-Gordon, #11-Hamlin, #17-Kenseth, #5-Busch, #20-Stewart and #88-Jarrett. Pole sitter #2-Kurt Busch lead the first 11 laps, fell back, got caught on pit road when a caution flew and finished 27th, down a lap. Kahne is now 30 points behind the 10th place driver, #31-Jeff Burton, who finished 16th. #99-Edwards and #16-Biffle are officially eliminated from the Chase, so it will be 11 drivers for the 10 spots in The Chase, unless there is a tie for 10th, then both drivers would get in. There were 10 leaders with 26 lead changes and 7 cautions for 29 laps.
Race Results on my California Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after California page
Race Rundown: see my California Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(9-3-2006)
- Kahne's event raises $144k; Stewart ok after wreck: #9-Kasey Kahne's year-old charity, the Kasey Kahne Foundation, which raises money to aid disadvantaged and critically ill children, raised $144,000 from Race night at Skagit Speedway [WA]. Fans clamored to see him and fellow NASCAR driver Tony Stewart take part in the sold-out event. They came early and stayed late. They proffered everything from hats and glossies to model cars and T-shirts for autographs. Some just wanted to be near him, as evidenced by the squealing teenage girl who got close enough to take a picture on her cell phone before running off with a hugest of grins. It even took a little sting out of what could have been a bad break. Stewart, the defending Nextel Cup champion and currently eighth in the standings, flipped his car going around the third turn on the first lap of his qualifying heat. His car, which was later auctioned off, was badly damaged and Stewart appeared to have suffered a minor concussion. He was deemed fine enough to skip a hospital visit. Stewart returned later in street clothes, joking around in the pits with Kahne. Even the crash couldn't dampen the night's good vibes. "I love dirt track racing," Stewart told the crowd. "I was looking forward more to racing Kasey and being here than racing in (Sunday's Nextel Cup race at) Fontana (Calif.) this weekend. I love this kid like a little brother and I'm glad I could be here."(Seattle Post-Intelligencer)(8-31-2006)
- Evernham to a four car team...in the future: on Speed Channel's NASCAR Raceday, Nextel Cup team owner Ray Evernham said he hope to expand to a four-car team in the future. NASCAR.com has an interview with Evernham by Marty Smith, one quote reports "Do you have plans to add a fourth team? Evernham: Yeah, we're trying to do that. We can't do it next year. We're not going to make next year, but we've got some things that I'm in the middle of putting together right now. The plan really was to go to four teams and we just couldn't get everything together fast enough."(8-26-2006)
- Mayfield claims Evernham's absence hurt team [Crocker implication]: Jeremy Mayfield claims in court documents that team owner Ray Evernham's "close personal relationship" with development driver Erin Crocker distracted his team and kept the owner from being an instrumental part of the #19 Nextel Cup team, whose struggles this year eventually led to Mayfield's firing. Mayfield made that allegation in his lawsuit against Evernham Motorsports filed Aug. 9 in North Carolina Superior Court in Iredell County after Evernham Motorsports informed Mayfield Motorsports Inc. on Aug. 7 that Mayfield would not drive the car in the Aug. 13 race at Watkins Glen. Evernham responded in an affidavit that he has worked diligently to make sure that the #19 team had the personnel and resources to be successful. See full report on SceneDaily.com.(8-17-2006)
- Kahne Double-Clutches (and confirms) Sadler Rumors: #9-Kasey Kahne may have given Knoxville television stations a scoop tonight. Kahne was visiting East Tennessee and signing autographs at NASCAR Speedpark in Sevier County. Speculation is mounting that Elliott Sadler will join Kahne as a teammate next season– although there’s been no official confirmation from Ray Evernham Motorsports– or Sadler himself. Tonight, asked about the situation– Kahne took things one-step further– saying Sadler may join the team in time for this weekend’s race at Michigan. Here’s his quote: “The 19 (car) hasn’t performed at all this year, and actually has been bad at most of the tracks. They’re out of the top-35 in points, so Ray is changing some things around there. I think Elliott Sadler is gonna be in the car this weekend. I think, maybe (smile). I don’t know for sure. I’m pretty sure he is. It’s gonna be good. I mean, next year he’s gonna be my teammate for sure, whatever happens this year."(Wogan on Sports)(8-16-2006)
- Nextel Cup drivers to compete in drift competition: Nextel Cup drivers #9-Kasey Kahne, Bill Elliott, #16-Greg Biffle, #7-Robby Gordon and #42-Casey Mears are scheduled to take part in the Aug. 31 Mopar D1 All-Star Duel at Irwindale Speedway in California. The exhibition pits eight Nextel Cup drivers against eight D1 Professional Drift Grand Prix Series drivers. Vaughn Gittin Jr., Rhys Millen, Samuel Hubinette, Yasuyuki Kazama and Ken Nomura are already pledged to the D1 team. The NASCAR drivers will compete in drift cars provided by D1. An autograph session is part of the event, and all proceeds will benefit the Kasey Kahne Foundation, which supports charitable organizations that care for chronically ill children and their families.(SceneDaily.com)(8-13-2006)
- SRT scheme back for #9 and #19 teams at Watkins Glen: #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Bill Elliott will be running special Dodge SRT paint schemes this weekend, promoting Dodge’s line of SRT (Street and Racing Technology) vehicles. It is the same scheme that was on the cars at Infineon Raceway in June.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #9 Team Scheme page and #19 Team Scheme page.(8-10-2006)
- Dodge partners its F-1, NASCAR teams: DaimlerChrysler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche attended Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Daytona, where his likeness appeared on the hoods of the [#9 and #19 Ask Dr Z] Dodges driven by Evernham Motorsports' Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield. Then Zetsche flew to Indianapolis to be with McLaren-Mercedes for what turned out to be a short day for the team in Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix. At a news conference Sunday morning at the convention center, where he was joined by McLaren team principal Ron Dennis and NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham, among others, Zetsche said a joint NASCAR/F-1 program isn't as farfetched as it might seem. "The technology is very different, but the principles are the same," he said. "There is much to share. NASCAR has something to tell as far as the show is concerned. I saw Daytona and it's quite something." Zetsche said DaimlerChrysler is committed long term to both programs. "It's our history and will be our future as well," he said. "NASCAR is as American as it can get. We are there to stay." Dennis and Evernham agreed they are in the initial stages of developing their partnership, but both expect it to be fruitful. "It takes time because they're two very different types of motor sports," Dennis said. "It's a learning curve for both of us. But we are blown away by their marketing machine." Evernham acknowledged he has thought about one day being part of a U.S. team effort in F-1 but not until his NASCAR program has produced a championship or two. He is counting on the union with McLaren and Mercedes to help him do that. "It's not just the technology. Take what they're doing with their strategy and their software," he said. "It's great to have a big brother like McLaren. This is what we've been waiting for."(Indianapolis Star)(7-2-2006)
- Special paint for Kahne and Mayfield at Daytona UPDATE 2 Challenger: #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jermey Mayfield will be running another special paint scheme again this weekend, promoting an advertising campaign for Chrysler that will be announced Saturday, July 1st as Kahne will participate in a major press announcement for Chrysler with Richard Petty.(Evernham Motorsports/ClearBlue PR), see an image of the cars on my #9 Team Schemes page and #19 Team Schemes page, "Ask Dr Z" scheme.(6-30-2006)
UPDATE: Tomorrow [July 1st] it is expected that the Dodge will unveil a new production car as part of its Daytona activities. Fans are invited to attend the event to see Richard Petty and Kasey Kahne showcase the new car.
AND Chrysler also is expected to unveil details an employee-pricing discount plan for consumers in a campaign that will feature DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche [Dr Z].
UPDATE 2: Chrysler is crashing the muscle-car party with plans to build a production version of the Dodge Challenger coupe that debuted as a retro-styled concept car in January at the Detroit auto show. The automaker plans to herald the return of the Challenger at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, Fla., on Saturday, according to people familiar with the plans. The Challenger concept, a rear-wheel drive coupe, drew raves from enthusiasts for its old-school looks and growling 425-horsepower V-8 engine.(Detroit News)(6-30-2006)
- UPS to the #9? or #16? UPDATE 6 - denied to Roush, announcement on Friday?: hearing UPS will leave the #88 Robert Yates Racing team and go to the #9 Evernham Dodge with driver Kasey Kahne.(6-8-2006)
UPDATE: On the sponsor front, sources in the garage indicate that UPS will be moving from #88 Robert Yates Racing to one of two teams in 2007, either the #9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne or the #16 Roush Racing Ford driven by Greg Biffle.(Speed Channel)(6-10-2006)
UPDATE 2: It appears UPS is still in play as a major sponsor. In the past two years the winner in the sponsor hunt has been Evernham Motorsports. UPS may add itself to the list of Evernham conquests signing as the primary sponsor of the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne. Then again, it is said the Dodge Dealers aren't willing to vacate their position on Kahne's ride. The dealers might be willing to let loose of the #19 driven by Jeremy Mayfield. However, it’s not clear Mayfield would be the driver of choice for UPS.(Circletrackplus.com)(6-11-2006)
UPDATE 3 - to #16? hearing that UPS is going to be on the #16 Roush Racing Ford with driver Greg Biffle in 2007.(6-20-2006)
UPDATE 4: hearing the announcement of where the UPS sponsorship will go, could be as soon as Friday, June 23rd or at sometime this weekend in Sonoma.(6-21-2006)
UPDATE 5: folks at Roush Racing have denied that UPS will sponsor any of their teams in 2007.(6-21-2006)
ANOTHER UPDATE: Car owner Ray Evernham had until last Friday to convince Dodge officials to allow UPS to sponsor Kasey Kahne's Dodge next year, and apparently he couldn't do it. That means UPS will sponsor Greg Biffle's Ford next year.(Augusta Chronicle)(6-22-2006)
- SRT Paint Schemes for #9 and #19 at Sonoma: Evernham Motorsports teammates #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #9-Kasey Kahne will run special SRT paint schemes on their Dodge Chargers at Infineon Raceway. Dodge SRT vehicles offer the boldest, most powerful performance for the Dodge lineup. Every SRT vehicle showcases five key aspects: Exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; top-notch ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range; benchmark braking; and standout powertrain. Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge SRT Charger will carry their signature bold red Dodge color, in addition to white on the rear quarter panels and black striping along the sides. SRT lettering is on the sides and hood of Kahne’s Dodge Charger. Mayfield’s #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge SRT Charger will take a more bold tact with bright yellow on the hood and the sides, eventually blending to black on the rear quarter panels and back of the car. It will be a distinctive look for the #19 Dodge Charger. Like the #9, red SRT lettering will be on the hood and quarter panels. Another notable change in the schemes is the Dodge Charger’s rear panel, which
displays Dodge’s website with information regarding the SRT program and encourages viewers to visit Dodge’s SRT website, www.driveSRT.com.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(6-20-2006)
- Francis Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award at MIS: Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis, crew chief [actually called Team Director] of the #9 Dodge, appeared to be bulletproof at this weekend's 3M Performance 400 [at Michigan]. The duo overcame a run-in with the wall and an overheating machine to score their fourth win of 2006. Francis' day earned him the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Kahne started his weekend out with a bang; with a speed of 185.644 mph, Kahne sat the Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge on the pole. Unfortunately for the #9 team, Kahne's car tagged the retaining wall during the final practice session. Francis was able to repair the damage; however, Kahne wasn't able to turn any laps in the reformed vehicle until go-time. Still, the #9 showed little evidence of weakness in the race, as Kahne led the opening lap and was once again in the top spot on lap 32. Kahne's fortune took another turn south, though, when a piece of debris collected on the grill of his car, causing the engine to overheat.
Francis called his driver in for an unscheduled stop on lap 38 to clean the grill, which relegated him to 38th place, one lap down to the
leaders. Kahne was the beneficiary of the "lucky dog" award on lap 55 when the caution flag waved for rain. Once he was back on the lead lap, Kahne methodically worked his way through the field. He recaptured the lead on lap 117 and held on until lap 129, when the race was called due to rain. "It was nerve-racking, that's for sure," said Francis. "I think part of the key to it for sure was being on the pole and having that pit box. The way it's laid out here, that's a big advantage under caution. We knew it was going to rain and we kept watching the radar in the pit box. When they finally did throw the yellow, I couldn't believe it was raining. It was just surrounding."
A panel of voters; including a member of the local media, Robbie Reiser and a WypAll Wipers representative; all cast their vote for Francis as the crew chief who did the best job.
For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, WypAll Wipers presented Francis $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Francis's fourth Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which puts him in the lead. Robbie Reiser, Chad Knaus and Tony Eury Jr. are tied for second-place, all with two wins. Darian Grubb, Todd Berrier, Doug Richert, Kenny Francis and Roy McCauley are tied for third-place, all with one win.(Wypall PR)(6-19-2006)
- Kahne wins rain shortened race at MIS: #9-Kasey Kahne won the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway, which was rained delayed, then shortened to 129 [of 200 scheduled laps] when rain fell around 5:00pm/et. The win is Kahne's 4th of the season, he has the most of any other driver this year and 5th of his career. It is also the 4th race Kahne has won from the pole. The race is fourth race at MIS that has been called due to rain [8/2001, 6/2000 and 8/1969, the race was shortened in 6/1974 due to the energy shortage..not rain]. #99-Carl Edwards finished 2nd, followed by #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #16-Greg Biffle [back in the top-10 in points] and #41-Reed Sorenson [his first ever top-5 finish]. #48-Jimmie Johnson, who finished 6th, increased his points lead over #17-Matt Kenseth by 74 points over #17-Matt Kenseth [who finished 13th]. #20-Stewart wrecked hard early in the race, but didn't seem to be reinjured and finished 41st. Kahne is the 7th driver to win a race after falling a lap down and getting the lucky dog pass back to the lead lap. There were 17 lead changes among 10 drivers and 9 cautions for 37 laps.
Race Results on my Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points page.
Race Rundown: see my Michigan Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(6-18-2006)
- Kahne to carry special paint scheme at MIS: At this weekend’s 3M Performance 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Kasey Kahne will sport a special paint scheme on his #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger – that of Adam Sandler’s [Grand Marshal of the race] new film, Columbia Pictures/Revolution Studios’ Click, debuting in theaters on June 23.
Kahne, a fan of Sandler classics such as Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer, will carry the star’s latest movie on the hood of his Dodge Charger to promote the comedy, which opens nationally on June 23. The #9 Dodge will feature a bold blue and yellow scheme featuring the authentic Click remote control used by Sandler in the movie.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(6-13-2006)
- UPS to the #9? UPDATE 2: hearing UPS will leave the #88 Robert Yates Racing team and go to the #9 Evernham Dodge with driver Kasey Kahne.(6-8-2006)
UPDATE: On the sponsor front, sources in the garage indicate that UPS will be moving from #88 Robert Yates Racing to one of two teams in 2007, either the #9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne or the #16 Roush Racing Ford driven by Greg Biffle.(Speed Channel)(6-10-2006)
UPDATE 2: It appears UPS is still in play as a major sponsor. In the past two years the winner in the sponsor hunt has been Evernham Motorsports. UPS may add itself to the list of Evernham conquests signing as the primary sponsor of the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne. Then again, it is said the Dodge Dealers aren't willing to vacate their position on Kahne's ride. The dealers might be willing to let loose of the #19 driven by Jeremy Mayfield. However, it’s not clear Mayfield would be the driver of choice for UPS.(Circletrackplus.com)(6-11-2006)
- Kahne and McDonald's at Chicago: Kasey Kahne is scheduled to drive a McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" paint scheme in the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 9. Bill Elliott was the last Evernham Motorsports driver to carry the "Golden Arches" in a NEXTEL Cup Series race when he drove the #91 at California Speedway last September. Ironically, Elliott will making his debut in the #00 Burger King sponsored car for Michael Waltrip at Chicago. McDonald's corporate headquarters are located nearby Chicagoland Speedway in Oak Brook, Illinois.(RacingOne), see image of the scheme on my #9 Team Scehemes page.(6-6-2006)
- Win #44 for the #9: with Kasey Kahne win in he Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, it was the 44th [not 43rd] time a car with the #9 won a race, 15th best overall [this is unofficial of course], the #43 has the most with 198 [Petty didn't win all his races in the famed #43] followed by #11 with 180 then #3, #21 and #6.
Some #9 history: Bill Elliott won 38 races in the #9 and 6 in the #11; Herb Thomas won 1 race in the #9, Donald Thomas 1 race in the #9 and a car with the #9 didn't win again until Elliott in 1983. And Kahne has 4 wins in the #9. See the full list of number wins, who won first and last in each car number, what car number Richard Petty won in, on my Wins by Car Number page.(5-30-2006)
- Kahne wins Coca-Cola 600: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, leading 158 of 400 laps, for his third win of 2006 and 4th of his career. It is the first Dodge to wins the race since Richard Petty in 1977. #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 2nd, breaking his streak at three straight wins of the event, followed by #99-Carl Edwards [spun once, was a lap down], #6-Mark Martin and #17-Kenseth. Rounding out the top-10 were #31-Burton, # 16-Biffle, #26-McMurray, #11-Hamlin and #41-Sorenson. #8-Earnhardt Jr. finished 11th. #20-Tony Stewart crashed early in the race when he cut a tire, Stewart was taken to a local hospital, checked out, treated and released. Stewart was still sore after a hard wreck in the Busch race Saturday, and held his right arm as he was led to the ambulance. #24-Gordon wrecked late in the race and finished 36th. #10-Scott Riggs, the pole sitter and led many laps, had a late poor pitstop when he stalled twice and finished 13th. There were 37 lead changes among 16 drivers and 15 cautions for 65 laps [last year there were 22 for 102 laps].
Race Results on my Charlotte Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Charlotte page.
Race Rundown: see my Charlotte Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(5-28-2006)
- Kahne needs clearance to test at Lowe's UPDATE: NASCAR officials say Evernham Motorsports driver #9-Kasey Kahne will have to get medical clearance before he's allowed to test Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Kahne talked with Dr. Jerry Petty, a Charlotte, N.C., neurosurgeon, on Monday and has a Tuesday morning appointment with Petty to get clearance. Kahne crashed early in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway Monday afternoon, and NASCAR officials did not allow him to return to the Nextel Cup race. "The medical people didn't think it would be good for him to get back in the car again," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said, adding that the driver of the #9 Dodge was too "shaken up" to return. Kahne went to the infield care center after the accident and walked to his hauler in the Nextel Cup garage. "I just got checked out, and everything is fine," Kahne said. Hermie Sadler, also involved in the lap 9 crash, got behind the wheel of Kahne's No. 9 when it returned on lap 85. By NASCAR rules, Kahne will get the driver points for the team's finish in the race.(SceneDaily.com)(5-1-2006)
UPDATE: #9-Kasey Kahne will not test Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway after a hard crash Monday during the race at Talladega Superspeedway. Kahne said he plans to get approval Wednesday to test on the second day of the two-day test in Charlotte. He said he will not go to see Dr. Jerry Petty, a Charlotte, N.C., neurosurgeon, until Wednesday morning. No one filled in for Kahne in Evernham Motorsports's #9 Dodge as the test on the repaved Lowe's Motor Speedway track got under way Tuesday morning. The #9 hauler did arrive at the track to get the cars set up.(SceneDaily.com)(5-2-2006)
- Said helping Evernham: Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham has an ace in the hole to get red-hot Kasey Kahne ready for the upcoming NASCAR Nextel Cup road course races: Boris Said. Said, a veteran road racer and occasional NASCAR Cup competitor, is working as a consultant to help Evernham's drivers - Kahne, Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs - get ready for those winding tracks that can be tough on younger drivers.(SceneDaily.com)(4-10-2006)
- Kahne wins at Texas: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, leading 63 of 334 laps for his 2nd win of 2006 and 3rd of his career. #17-Matt Kenseth passed #20-Tony Stewart late and held on to 2nd place, with Stewart finishing 3rd after leading the most laps [99], #11-Denny Hamlin was 4th for his 1st top-5 of the year then #29-Kevin Harvick. #31-Burton was 6th, followed by #10-Riggs, #1-Truex Jr., #6-Martin and #43-Labonte. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson holds on to the points lead by 15 over #17-Kenseth, finishing 11th after being down two laps. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson holds on to the points lead by 15 over #17-Kenseth, finishing 11th after being down two laps. There 9 cautions for 43 laps and 12 leaders with 22 lead changes.
Race Results on my Texas Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Texas page.
Race Rundown: see my Texas Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(4-9-2006)
- Kahne wins pole at Texas: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Budweiser Pole for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway for his 2nd lap of 2006 and 8th of his career. He won the pole and race at Atlanta a few weeks ago. Kahne ran a lap of 190.315mph, the only driver over 190. Starting 2nd is #18-J.J. Yeley, then #6-Mark Martin, #66-David Green and #16-Greg Biffle. The fastest of the non-top 35 teams/driver is #43-Bobby Labonte, who will start 10th. Missing the race were: #49-Sherman, #92-Blount, #78-Wallace, #34-Chaffin and #95-Barrett. #74-Derrike Cope make his first start of 2006. See the qualifying results below.
For qualifying speed, starting lineup, pole progression and more, see my Texas Starting Grid/Qualifying Page.(4-7-2006)
- Kahne Joins the Winners Circle UPDATE and now Busch: #9-Kasey Kahne has joined an elite group of drivers as a result of his victory in the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta. Kahne’s second career victory earned the Ray Evernham-owned #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge team a spot in NASCAR’s Winner’s Circle Program, if Kahne enters, qualifies and competes in the remaining 32 races on the schedule this season beginning with Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kahne joins the Winner’s Circle Program as a “wild card,” leaving one more “wild card” slot open to an additional race winner this season that is not already in the program. The Winner’s Circle Program, which starts each season with the top 10 winning drivers from the previous season, is designed to reward teams who have typified the best in NASCAR racing. Two “wild card” slots are available each year, making a total of 12 maximum spots open for the program in any season. For more info, the 2007 and 2006 charts and more, see my Winner Circle page.(3-24-2006)
UPDATE: after his win in Bristol on March 26th, #2-Kurt Busch takes over the final wild card spot on the program.(3-27-2006)
- Kahne wins at Atlanta: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Las Vegas Motor Speedway, dominating the final 80 laps for his 2nd win of his career [other was Richmond last May] and 1st of the year. It is the first Dodge to win at Atlanta since Richard Petty won there in March 1977. Kahne is the first driver to win the spring race from the pole since Buddy Baker in 1979. #6-Mark Martin was 2nd, followed by #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon and #20-Tony Stewart. Points leader, #48-Jimmie Johnson finished 6th and now leads the points by 50 over Kahne. #45-Kyle Petty came home 8th, his best finish since an 8th at Dover last Sept. #41-Reed Sorenson was the highest rookie of the year candidate with a 10th place finish. Johnson is now the only driver to score a top-10 finish in all four races of the 2006 season. #23-Bill Lester ran the whole race, but fell 6 laps down and finished 38th. There were 8 cautions for 43 laps and 27 lead changes with 12 leaders.
Race Results on my Atlanta Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Atlanta page.
Race Rundown: see my Atlanta Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(3-20-2006)
- Cup team considering move to Indy? UPDATE Evernham Denies: in a Darrell Waltrip column at FoxSports: "by the way I was in Indy this past week on some business. There's a rumor going around that some big NASCAR team was thinking about moving to Indianapolis, and I was talking to some folks who may have given me an inside track on who it might be. It's a guy that's got three cars and no crew chiefs, if that helps you any."(FoxSports), no crew chiefs? Evernham Motorsports uses Team Directors...not crew chiefs.(1-6-2006)
UPDATE Evernham denies: Team owner Ray Evernham said Sunday morning that there was absolutely no truth to the rumors that he was considering relocating his team from Statesville, N.C., to the Indianapolis area. The state of Indiana has been trying to lure teams to the Hoosier state, but Evernham said he wouldn’t even consider leaving his current location, which abuts an airport and houses the rapidly growing Evernham Motorsports operation. “I have not talked to anybody at Indy,” Evernham said Sunday morning. “We have no intention of moving Evernham Motorsports. We’re more than happy where we’re at. And actually, it’s been distracting to the team because I had a lot of people coming up and asking me about it. I have no idea where that even came from.”(Speed Channel)(3-13-2006)
- Special Schemes for #9 and #19 at Vegas: #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jeremy Mayfield's Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Chargers will run special paint schemes in Sunday's UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Flames [DW will be happy] will extend down the length of each car and the hoods will feature the race logo for the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400.(Clear!Blue/Evernham MS PR), ni images to post..yet.(3-8-2006)
- Kahne heads to Wash DC on Monday: #9 rriver Kasey Kahne was one of 17 people picked to be appointed to President Bush's council on service and civic participation Sunday. Kahne, a 25-year-old driver who finished 13th in the Nextel Cup standings last season, was scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. on Monday for a council dinner and then a meeting at the White House. Others appointed include: actress/singer Hilary Duff, actor Stephen Baldwin, singer Michael W. Smith, actress Patricia Heaton and USA Basketball head Jerry Colangelo.(ESPN.com/AP)(2-13-2006)
2005 News
- President Bush appoints Kahne: President George W. Bush announced his intention to nominate three individuals and appoint seventeen individuals to serve in his Administration: The President intends to nominate Alexander A. Karsner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy). Mr. Karsner currently serves as Managing Director for Enercorp, LLC. Prior to this, he served as Director of Development & Senior Development Manager for Wartsila Power Development & Wartsila Diesel Development Ltd. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Honorable Moses Cheng Mo-Chi, former Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, Mr. Karsner served as International Project Director for Tondu Energy Systems. Mr. Karsner received his bachelor's degree from Rice University and his master's degree from Hong Kong University. The President intends to nominate Donald R. DePriest, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, for a term to expire on May 18, 2009.
The President intends to nominate Vince J. Juaristi, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, for the remainder of a five year term expiring February 8, 2009. The President intends to appoint seventeen individuals to be Members of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, for two-year terms, including Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports.(White House site)(12-31-2005)
- Knaus leaving Hendrick? UPDATE denied: hearing [or have leaned] that #48 Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Chad Knaus will leave the team and driver Jimmie Johnson and go back to Evernham Motorsports [was one of Evernham's first hires, until moving to #92 Melling team in 2001], then Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 to crew chief Johnson.
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports says Knaus has no plans to leave Hendrick Motorsports and has multiple years remaining
on his contract.(12-2-2005)
- Baldwin leaving Evernham? to Yates? UPDATEs MANY: hearing that #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin could be leaving Evernham Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne.(9-18-2005)
UPDATE: hearing Baldwin could end up at the #38 M&M's/Robert Yates Racing team as Elliott Sadler's crew chief.(9-19-2005)
more updates: see the #9 Team News and Links page for all the past rumors since Sept...getting kinda long.
UPDATE 2 - Baldwin teaming up with Yates? hearing that Tommy Baldwin, former #9 Crew Chief for Kasey Kahne, will go to Robert Yates Racing in some fashion, crew chief/part owner. Also has been rumored that a current one car operation, such as #50 Arnold Motorsports or #66 Peak Performance could partner up with RYR, which could include ownership by Baldwin, something that was mentioned in the Evernham Motorsports release on Tuesday [see below or the #9 Team News and Links page for more on that]. Cabela's is the sponsor on the #66 car this week and have heard it could become a full-time sponsor in 2006. Expect some sort of announcement this weekend at Homestead.(11-17-2005)
MORE the Yates-Baldwin press conference planned for Saturday morning has been canceled, what does it mean? no idea.(11-18-2005)
MORE II: Tommy Baldwin's future plans apparently include a cooperative effort with Robert Yates Racing. It was announced earlier this week that Baldwin, who has been Kasey Kahne's crew chief at Evernham Motorsports, was leaving that team. And his desire to own a team is well-known.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-19-2005)
UPDATE 100: on Speed Channel's NASCAR This Morning, Bob Dilner said Baldwins plans to start his own Cup team, but not until the 2007 season...not sure what his 2006 plans may be, but still hearing it'll be with Yates.(11-20-2005)
- Baldwin gone from Evernham? UPDATE New Team Structure at Evernham: hearing #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin Jr. has left Evernham Motorsports, no word on where he is headed.
MORE hearing this is true and that there could be some crew swapping between the #9 and #19.
UPDATE 8: As the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season winds down, planning for 2006 is already well underway at Evernham Motorsports. For President and CEO Ray Evernham, it is anything but business as usual. Evernham is developing a new architecture for team success, one designed to foster better collective thinking, decision making and intellectual innovation. In 2006, Evernham will do away with the crew chief position on all of his race teams, instead installing a leadership team similar to many corporate structures. Each of the Evernham Motorsports Nextel Cup teams will have a Team Director, a Car Director and an Engineer. Evernham designed the new team structure with an eye toward the future and the continued evolution of the sport.
#19: For 2006, the leadership and team members of Evernham Motorsports will shift their alignment to better share the knowledge and thought-processes throughout the organization. The team that comprises the #91 Evernham Dodge Charger today will move to the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, driven by Jeremy Mayfield. It will be led by Chris Andrews as Team Director. Kirk Almquist will be the Car Director and Tim Malinovsky will be the Engineer.
#9: The #19 team will shift to the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, which Kasey Kahne will continue to drive. Kenny Francis will be the Team Director for the #9 team, Mike Shiplett will be the Car Director and Keith Rodden will be the Engineer.
#10: The #9 team will support the new No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Charger and driver Scott Riggs. Rodney Childers is the acting Team Director, and the leadership team will be announced at a later date.
The new team structure will be in effect for the final race of the 2005 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2005.
Tommy Baldwin, Team Director of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, will serve as a team consultant at Miami before moving on to pursue his dreams of running his own team. "Tommy will be leaving Evernham Motorsports to hopefully start his own operation," added Evernham. "He's very interested in being a team owner, and I want to help him get started just like Rick Hendrick helped me get started. I've known Tommy since he was 10 or 11 years old, and wish him the very best in the future."
"I appreciate the opportunity to work with Ray for several years," said Baldwin. "I've learned an awful lot from him. I also appreciate him letting me move on and helping me accomplish what I want to accomplish in the future. I came to Ray some time ago and told him this is what I've wanted to do. He didn't have any problems with that. He was in the same position with Rick (Hendrick) when he wanted to move on. Ray has helped me through all this and helped my decision making. I'm thankful for his friendship. Kasey and I have talked about this," he added. "He's going to win plenty of races with me or without me. He just has a God-given talent. I'm not worried about that. I'm glad I've become really good friends with him, and hopefully we can carry that into the future."
The remaining positions within the new team structure at Evernham Motorsports are expected to be named in the next few weeks.(Clear!Blue/Evernham Motorsports PR)(11-15-2005)
- Baldwin leaving Evernham? UPDATE 6: hearing that #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin could be leaving Evernham Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne.(9-18-2005)
UPDATE: hearing Baldwin could end up at the #38 M&M's/Robert Yates Racing team as Elliott Sadler's crew chief.(9-19-2005)
UPDATE 2: Baldwin recently signed a contract with Evernham Motorsports that runs thru 2010. "The only way I would leave, I guess is if Ray [Evernham] threw me out," say Baldwin. "We're not talking with him," Yates Team Manager Eddie D'Hondt said. "He's got a pretty strong contract where he is and he's happy where he is." [Evernham and #9 Kahne](NASCAR Scene Magazine)(10-1-2005)
UPDATE 3 - it's back... hearing once again that #9 Crew Chief, Tommy Baldwin will be parting ways with Evernham Motorsports, could be after Atlanta or at the end of the season, no word this time, where he would end up.(10-29-2005)
UPDATE 4: There were rumors Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for Mayfield's teammate #9-Kasey Kahne, wanted out [of Evernham Motorsports]. Baldwin said he's not going anywhere.(Sporting News)(10-31-2005)
UPDATE 5: #9-Kasey Kahne could have a new crew chief next season, with Chris Andrews taking over for Tommy Baldwin, according to team sources. Where Baldwin might wind up is unclear. At the moment Andrews said he expects to be working with Scott Riggs, the newest addition to Ray Evernham's lineup.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-11-2005)
UPDATE 6: #9 Crew chief Tommy Baldwin was noncommittal yesterday about his future plans, despite increasing speculation he wouldn't be back with car owner Ray Evernham as head of Kasey Kahne's team. Evernham released crew chief Richard 'Slugger' Labbe three weeks ago.(Winston Salem Journal), rumors have Badwin going to wither Robert Yates Racing team or Petty Enterprises.(11-12-2005)
- #9 and #19 get new 2006 paint schemes: When the green flag falls at the 2006 Daytona 500 next February, the Dodge Chargers of Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne will be sporting bold new paint schemes reflective of the bold design of the popular Dodge Charger production vehicle. The new 2006 Dodge Dealers paint scheme provides Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield distinctive yet familiar team identities. The new scheme maintains the Dodge trademark red color and provides greater on-track visibility for Dodge Dealers. The #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger of Jeremy Mayfield will still feature the bright red hood with the signature Dodge Ram's head and branding for the Dodge Dealers. But, the Dodge Charger will carry black doors and fenders with red numbers on the side and white numbers on the roof. Mayfield drove a black car in several races in 2005, and made a special request for a cool black Dodge Charger for 2006.
Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger also will have a new look for 2006. His Charger will carry the same bright red hood and Dodge Ram logo as the #19, but will have white doors and fenders. The numbers on the side of the car will be black and the top of the car will be white. Diecast models of the new #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Chargers will be available through Action Performance beginning February. To purchase online, visit evernhammotorsports.com.(Clear!Blue PR)(11-15-2005)
- Kahne Unveils Final Goodyear Garage Customized Vehicle: Kasey Kahne unveiled a customized 2005 Dodge Ram to fans at his race shop last week that will be won via sweepstakes. The tricked-out vehicle is part of the Goodyear Garage program, Goodyear's interactive and online consumer attraction. The truck can be won online by a lucky fan through www.GoodyearGarage.com from Oct. 12 through Dec. 4. Kahne's personalized Dodge Ram is the last of the four customized vehicles within the 2005 Goodyear program. Earlier in the year, NASCAR stars Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick also had special vehicles customized through the Goodyear Garage program, which have been won by adoring fans. "I was really excited when I heard about this program with Goodyear," Kahne
said. "Getting a chance to trick out a truck is any guy's dream, but working with Jeff Kelderman, whose ideas and designs are ingenious, made the deal even sweeter. I appreciate the opportunity from Goodyear to work with Dodge and McDonald's to benefit the children of the Ronald McDonald House." An added bonus of the Goodyear Garage program is an online auction where fans can bid on their favorite driver's personalized items.(Goodyear PR), more info and links on my Racing Charities page.(10-22-2005)
- Kahne to run a Dodge Ram Mega Cab Paint Scheme at Texas: Kasey Kahne and the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger team will debut a special paint scheme featuring the new Dodge Mega Cab -- World's Biggest Cab -- on Nov. 6 in the Dickies 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Since everything is bigger in Texas, TMS will provide a perfect high-speed stage
to unveil the new paint scheme. The all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab features the World’s Biggest Cab with Best-in-Class interior room and comfort. Powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine as standard equipment, the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab also is available with a Cummins Turbo diesel. Beginning on Oct. 18, fans can register at www.worldsbiggestcab.com to win prizes associated with the unveiling of the new paint scheme. Fifty die-cast cars with the Ram Mega Cab paint scheme from Action Performance will be given away in addition to five SRT Racing School experiences, a VIP Daytona 500 trip for two and a 1500 SLT Dodge Ram Mega Cab. Deadline for entries is Nov. 9.(Clear!Blue PR), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(10-17-2005)
- Fines, Penalties and Probations Result from New Hampshire Infractions
NASCAR issued fines and penalties Monday to four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, resulting from rule violations this past weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway.
• Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge, was fined $25,000 because of an on-track altercation with another competitor during a caution period and placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Kahne violated Section 12-4-A of the series rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing). Kahne was also penalized 25 driver championship points and car owner Ray Evernham losing 25 owner championship points. “There have been a growing number of incidents lately where drivers have taken matters into their own hands. Such unsafe and inappropriate behavior has to stop,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. NASCAR will use whatever means necessary to stop it.”(NASCAR PR)
updated points on Jayski's Drivers/Owners Points after New Hampshire page.(9-19-2005)
- Kahne honored in hometown: An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people swarmed downtown Enumclaw [WA] for “Kasey Kahne Day,” an all-day festival sponsored by Allstate, the City of Enumclaw and the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce. On Labor Day, Kahne, who lives in Huntersville, N.C., came home to what began as a familiar celebration. Food and vendor booths invited passers-by. The smell of corn dogs and mochas filled the air. Kids chomped on snow cones. As afternoon approached, people left the food and vendor booths and filled a vast parking lot where Kahne was scheduled to take the stage under a large tent. When he did, people in red jerseys, T-shirts and jackets that paid homage to their hero, erupted with cheers and applause. “This is actually the first time I’ve seen this much red, and it’s not Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” Kahne said. On stage, Enumclaw Mayor John Wise dedicated “Kasey Kahne Drive” as the new name of a street in town. “There’s no speedin’ on that street,” Kahne said. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Kahne presented a $1,000 scholarship to a recent graduate of Enumclaw High School and answered questions people had written on scraps of paper.(more at the Tacoma News)(9-6-2005)
- Kahne to be honored in hometown today: On Monday [Sept 5th], #9-Kasey Kahne will return to his hometown of Enumclaw, Wash., to receive the keys to the city and celebrate his second season of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing with his hometown fans.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the city will host Kasey Kahne Day, with fan activities throughout the day. There will be a classic car show and a
display of each type of race car Kahne drove along the way to becoming a Nextel Cup driver. There will be a special appearance by the Kasey Kahne Juniors, the micro mini sprint car drivers sponsored by Kahne.
At noon, the mayor of Enumclaw, John Wyse, will present Kahne with the keys to the city and rename one of the city's thoroughfares "Kasey Kahne Drive." At 2:15 p.m., Kahne will hold a press conference at Mark Toppings Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, which houses the Kasey Kahne merchandise store. During the press conference, Kahne will share details about his new Kasey Kahne Foundation.
At 3 p.m., Kahne will sign autographs at the dealership for 800 fans who received wristbands through local distribution. For more
information, visit www.kaseykahne.com.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-5-2005)
- Evernham Announcement at Indy UPDATE 2: #9, #19, #91 [#10 in 2006] team owner Ray Evernham and driver Kasey Kahne are scheduled to announce plans for 2006 and beyond on Saturday morning at Indy.(Clear!Blue PR)(8-4-2005)
UPDATE: Team owner Ray Evernham is expected to announce Saturday that #9-Kasey Kahne has signed a five-year extension that will keep him with the team through 2010, reports say.(Speed Channel)(8-6-2005)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, announced a multi-year contract extension with Kasey Kahne as driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger. Kahne said: "I'm real excited to be able to do this, to be able to sign with Ray for a lot longer with Evernham Motorsports, all our sponsors and partners we already have with Dodge and Siemens and all the great sponsors we have we'll keep on being able to work with. Just to know I'm going to have the same race team with the same group of guys working on it. I pretty much know all the guys at the shop. I know everybody, but guys come in and out every once in awhile that you don't know. It's a big deal for myself. Ray is a great car owner. He taught me a lot. He wants to win races and the championship as bad as anybody in auto racing, and that's the kind of person I want to be with. I think it's a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to the future with Evernham Motorsports.(Clear!Channel PR)(8-7-2005)
- Rondeau finds a new home: Pete Rondeau has negotiated his release from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and joined Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91]. Rondeau started the season as #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief but was removed from that position after 11 points races. He joined Evernham on July 18 as director of research and development.(Sporting News)(8-1-2005)
- Court Dismisses All Claims by Ford against Kasey Kahne: On July 28, 2005, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan dismissed all claims by Ford Motor Company against NASCAR star Kasey Kahne, in connection with
Kahne's move last year from Ford to drive a Dodge in Nextel Cup, the most prominent NASCAR series. The Court found "that the Kahne-Ford personal services agreement is not enforceable..." and that Kahne had been free to switch to Dodge and Evernham Motorsports when Ford failed to provide a full time Nextel Cup car as requested by Kahne for the 2004 season. Pointing to admissions by Ford racing executives, Dan Davis and Greg Specht, the court found that the contract had "intentionally left
open for future joint agreement" the "essential" terms of the actual series and team that Kahne would join, and that this was fatal to Ford's claim.
Kahne stated: "I'm thrilled that this decision sets the record straight that my move to Evernham Motorsports and the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was in good faith and didn't breach my Ford contract. My manager, Rod Moskowitz of MMI and I didn't publicly respond to Ford's attempts to smear me during this case because we were confident I'd be vindicated in court. Now that we've won, I'm glad to put this unfortunate action behind me. Dan Davis told me that I wasn't ready to move to Cup, and Ford tried to hold me back. I think my performance proved them wrong." After leaving Ford, Kahne was named NASCAR's 2004 Rookie of the Year.
The decision came down after Kahne's attorneys, Paul LiCalsi and David Baum of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, moved to throw the lawsuit out on the basis of the documents in the case and the testimony given by Ford executives during depositions. "As we said at the onset, this case was nothing more than an expression of Ford's frustration with its own failure to recognize Kasey's ability to race at the highest level of the sport", LiCalsi said. Baum added, "For the last year and a half, Ford and its team of lawyers have tried to bully Kasey in court and demonized him in the press as someone who did not live up to his obligations. The
court's decision is a complete rebuke of Ford's tactics."(Clear!Blue PR)(7-28-2005)
- Kahne's attorneys ask judge to throw out Ford's suit: Attorneys for #9-Kasey Kahne asked a federal judge to throw out Ford's breach-of-contract lawsuit against the NASCAR driver, one of his lawyers said Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland in Detroit was to hear arguments on the request Wednesday, attorney David Baum said from New York. Ford sued Kahne in Wayne County Circuit Court in July 2004, the county where the Michigan automaker is headquartered. The company claimed he signed a contract that obligated him to drive Fords for Robert Yates Racing and appear in promotional activities. But in October 2003, the suit alleged, Kahne bolted Ford and joined a Dodge team owned by Ray Evernham. The lawsuit was transferred to federal court shortly after it was filed because the parties are from different states, Baum said. Kahne lives in Huntersville, N.C. Ford has called the suit "unfortunate," and said it believes in honoring contracts. NASCAR views its teams as independents and drivers as contracted workers hired by each team. Disputes are worked out among each other, with NASCAR having no influence in the results.(ESPN.com/AP)(7-19-2005)
- Kasey doing some more ads: Kasey Kahne, the driver of Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series, will be featured in two ad campaigns that the Allstate insurance company is preparing to launch, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports. The first ad is scheduled to air on TNT during Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway, and the second will start running during NBC's airing of the Aug. 7 Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Allstate isn't disclosing how much the campaigns cost or how much is being spent on placement of the ads, the story says.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-19-2005)
- Evernham Motorsports to make 2006 announcement on Friday, July 1st at Daytona International Speedway, announcing news for the 2006 season.(6-28-2005)
- New Assoc. sponsor for Evernham - Allstate: Allstate announced a multi-year deal with Evernham Motorsports. The associate sponsorship will make Allstate the official auto, home, life and supplemental insurance, motor club and retirement products sponsor of the race team. Earlier this year, Allstate signed a multi-year agreement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to become the title sponsor for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. As part of the sponsorship agreement, #9 driver and 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year Kasey Kahne, #19 driver Jeremy Mayfield and legendary driver Bill Elliott, along with Evernham Motorsports crew members, will display the Allstate logo on their race uniforms. Two new television ads currently in production will feature Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne in a race setting, yet with a humorous twist that challenges viewers to consider the unique circumstances in which they would need their insurance. One spot focuses on the new Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance. In addition to unique race-themed advertising, Allstate will launch a national consumer promotion beginning July 1, offering the chance to win a trip and tickets to this year's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and other prizes, including a meet and greet with Kasey Kahne and a ride in the official pace car. Committed to diversity and its growth in motorsports, Allstate will also work with members from Evernham Motorsports' driver development program, including Tommy Lane and Erin Crocker, on a broader diversity program with NASCAR. Lane, who is African-American, competes in the Late Model Stock Division at Hickory Motor Speedway, while Erin Crocker, the first female to join Evernham Motorsports, competes in the NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA Series. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate.(Clear!Blue PR)
AND Third Round of Exclusive eBay Auctions to Begin Thursday, June 30th, to benefit the Charity Chopper Fundraiser, helping to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This month's featured prize is an American Rodsmith, Evernham Signature Series bass fishing rod. The rod is autographed by Ray
Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, as well as Bill Elliott, driver of the #91 Stanley Tools Dodge Charger. For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org.(6-28-2005)
- #9 Front End Seized, Penalty on the way UPDATE 2: Speed Channel's Bob Dilner reported on Speed News NASCAR Edition that the #9-Kasey Kahne car had the front end confiscated by NASCAR for supposedly having an illegal spring loaded valance. Expect to hear some news on fines/penalties/points deduction by NASCAR, usually penalties are announced on Tuesdays.(6-20-2005)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials have confirmed the confiscation of an adjustable - and thus illegal - front air dam from Kasey Kahne’s #9 Dodge team during the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway race weekend. According to NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter, the illegal part was found during a pre-race inspection on Friday and never made it to the racetrack aboard the team Evernham entry. Still, the team is set to receive some kind of punishment for possession of a device deliberately designed to breach the rules. "A penalty will be forthcoming -- I don't know what,” Hunter told NASCAR’s official website. “The rulebook says it cannot be adjusted, so it did not conform to our rules."(Speed Channel)(6-21-2005)
UPDATE 2 [well...not much of one] no word yet on any penalties/fines for this infraction, expected the word Tuesday as is usaully the case.(6-22-2005)
FINE ANNOUNCED: Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, was fined $10,000 for an unapproved front air dam extension, a violation of Section 12-4-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (parts and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rulebook.(NASCAR PR)(6-22-2005)
- Evernham hopes to run full 3rd team in 2006: Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91] is close to getting the money needed for a third full-time entry in NASCAR's top series. The third full-time Nextel Cup entry would take over the #91 team that is now a part-time ride for Bill Elliott, team owner Ray Evernham said Friday. Elliott would not be the driver, but the NASCAR veteran, who cut back to a limited schedule in 2004, can remain affiliated with the program, the owner said. "I would love to run a third team," Evernham said. "We have the infrastructure in place. We've built the new building [in Statesville, N.C]. We have the people ready. We have the plan ready. But I'm not going to pull the trigger until I know the money's in place." Evernham said he hopes to have the finances for the third team in place by the end of July or August at the latest. Evernham's two main drivers are #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jeremy Mayfield. He also has ARCA driver Erin Crocker on a developmental team, and he's working on getting her a solid Busch Series program for next year. As for Elliott, who is racing at Michigan International Speedway this week, the former Cup champion has the choice of doing what he wants.(ESPN.com/AP)(6-18-2005)
- Mayfield and Kahne to test: #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #9-Kasey Kahne are scheduled to test at Carolina Motorsports Park, in Kershaw, S.C., next Thursday, June 16. The teams will use the test to prepare for the June 26 roadcourse race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.(Clear!Blue/Evernham PR)(6-8-2005)
- Mopar scheme for Kahne at LMS...in Oct: #9-Kasey Kahne is scheduled to run the blue and white Mopar scheme at Lowes Motor Speedway on October 15, 2005. See an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(5-26-2005)
- Dickerson resurfaces: Former Hendrick Motorsports chassis developer Eddie Dickerson (released back in February) is consulting for Evernham Motorsports #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jeremy Mayfield.(Sporting News)(5-23-2005)
- Ford vs. Kahne: A case in U.S. District Court in Michigan provides an inside look at NASCAR contracts between teams and drivers. Ford has sued Kasey Kahne for breach of contract for leaving a Ford-backed team to drive Dodges for Evernham Motorsports in 2004. Kahne had a five-year contract with car owner Robert Yates and a supplemental contract with Ford before joining Evernham. Kahne's lawyers argue that Ford could not provide a suitable ride for him, allowing him to seek a ride elsewhere. Kahne's contract with Yates was submitted May 12 by Kahne's attorneys, who seek a summary judgment. The case is scheduled to go to trial in August. Kahne's contract with Yates shows it was signed Feb. 4, 2002, and was for the 2002-04 seasons. Yates' team had the option to extend the contract through 2006. According to the contract, Kahne was to be paid a $100,000 salary in 2002 while in the Busch series. His salary was to increase to $150,000 the next year and go to $225,000 in 2004. The contract states if Yates moved Kahne to Cup in 2004, Kahne's salary would be $700,000 for his rookie season. The salary was scheduled to increase to $850,000 the following year and go to $1 million in his third year in Cup. The contract stated Kahne would receive 35 percent of the race purse minus bonuses designated for the team. He would receive 50 percent of the race purse for a top-three finish. He would receive 35 percent of the season-ending money based on his placement in the driver standings. If he finished in the top three, he would receive 50 percent of the money. The final clause in the contract dealt with confidentiality. "All parties hereto acknowledge that the terms and contents of this agreement are confidential in nature and that neither will divulge any of the terms herein to anyone, except as may be required by law or for tax accounting or other reporting obligations."(News and Record)(5-22-2005)
- #9 Crew are NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Champions: The #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge pit crew of driver Kasey Kahne battled against the clock and 23 teams to earn the title as 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Champions at the inaugural event presented by Motorola Thursday at the Charlotte Coliseum. Racing against the clock in team and individual skills components, 24 teams battled through four rounds of competition with only one team remaining at the event’s conclusion to answer the question of who owns pit road. In the final round of competition, the # 9 team defeated the # 42 Texaco Havoline team of driver Jamie McMurray by 1.69 seconds to secure the championship. Kahne’s pit crew completed a four-tire pit stop in 16.14 seconds in the finals to the # 42 team’s 17.83-second stop.
“This event is what it’s all about,” said Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the championship team. “To see all the smiles on their faces and to see how hard they work day in and day out – this is great. This gives them a chance to excel in the spotlight.” Under the leadership of Baldwin and hard driving by Kahne, the team secured its position in tonight’s inaugural pit crew showcase by winning at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway last Saturday night.
The team received $70,000 in cash, as well as special leather jackets and championship rings by Jostens, which produced rings for the 2005 Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots and the 2005 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. Seven individual champions were also crowned in their respective positions. Each winning crew member was awarded a fully stocked Craftsman toolbox, along with a $10,000 cash prize, a special leather jacket and a championship ring from Jostens. Gas man Rodney Rhodes and catch-can man Brent Wentz were crowned champions in their fueling discipline in addition to winning the team title.
“We’re a big bunch of friends,” Wentz said. “We have a lot of momentum on our side right now and we’ll take that into winning the $1 million (in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge) Saturday night.”
The NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge presented by Motorola was an added component to the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, one of the nation’s elite sporting events. The only event of its kind officially sanctioned by NASCAR, this contest pitted over-the-wall athletes against each other in seven head-to-head skills competitions designed to showcase the talents of NASCAR’s top crew members. Components of the competition included individual and team contests for tire changers, tire carriers, gas men, jack men and catch-can men, with competitors earning more than $250,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes. Eligible teams included those able to compete in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.
“It’s amazing to feel the adrenaline as these teams were competing throughout the events,” said Michael Robichaud, senior director of sports and entertainment marketing for Nextel. “We certainly congratulate all the winners of the first NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge and look forward to seeing them perform at each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event the remainder of the season.”
The individual skills stations were set up as pit boxes, each with a full size NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car. All team members began simultaneously at the sound of a starter’s tone and hit a stop button positioned on pit wall as they left their respective pit box, marking their individual split time.
Position: Name, Team, Time (seconds)
Front-tire change/carrierr: Mike Trower/Shane Cook, #10 Valvoline Chevy, 14.29
Rear-tire changer/carrier: Andy Brown/Donald Richardson, #2-Miller Lite Dodge, 14.72
Jack man: Kevin Pennell, #15 Napa Auto Parts 7.24
Gas man and Catch-Can man: Rodney Rhodes/Brent Wentz, #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, 14.50
Fans across the country can see the top teams in action during a special television presentation of the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge. The one-hour show will air on FX at 6 p.m., leading into the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday, May 21. MRN radio will also broadcast event highlights on May 21 at 6:00pm/et., see more on my Pit Crew News page, some results and images.(5-20-2005)
- Kahne tests at Richmond...in sprint car: Just five days after winning his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race, Kasey Kahne returned to Richmond International Raceway for an impromptu test session. Kahne, who owns a USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship Series team joined his driver, Erin Crocker for a few extra laps around the ľ-mile facility on Thursday, May 19. Kahne had planned to have Kraig Kinser, son of World of Outlaws star Steve Kinser, behind the wheel of his second car, however due to the young Kinser's aggressive World of Outlaws schedule and his position in the points standings [second], Kinser will not be in the car for next month's Richmond Times-Dispatch 100. So, Kahne returned to his roots and joined his USAC team to help them get a feel for the track and gather notes for when they return Saturday, June 25. Although Kahne will not be at the June race weekend and doesn't know yet who he will have running the second Silver Crown car, he hopes to have a second trophy from Richmond International Raceway to display on his mantel after one of his cars wins the Richmond Times-Dispatch 100 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship Series race.(RIR)(5-20-2005)
- Kahne FINALLY Wins: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway for his first ever Nextel Cup win in his 47th race, after finishing 2nd six times. Kahne is the 167th driver to score a Nextel Cup win. The win puts Kahne into the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway next Saturday. Kahne led the most laps with 242 and beat #20-Tony Stewart, who finished 2nd, and made a classy move on pit road, walking out to talk and congratulate Kahne. The rest of the top-five: #12-Ryan Newman, #5-Kyle Busch and #29-Kevin Harvick. Kahne's win is the first for the Dodge Charger since Nov. 20, 1977, at [now defunct] Ontario Motor Speedway, Neil Bonnett was the driver, it is the 125th win for the Dodge Charger. It is Dodge's first win of 2005. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson wrecked early and finished 40th, his large points lead is now down to 41 over #16-Greg Biffle. #24-Jeff Gordon had troubles and DNF's, finishing 39th.
For my race rundown, narrative, cautions, lucky dogs, lap leaders, see Richmond Race Info/Rundown Page
For race results/results links, see Jayski's Richmond Race Results/Awards page.(5-14-2005)
- Top Banana and Go ManGo! Chargers Unveiled AND: As part of its introduction of the new limited production 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, Dodge unveiled two new Bud Shootout paint schemes on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Chargers, celebrating the modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car. Jeremy Mayfield will pilot the #19 Top Banana Dodge Charger, and Kasey Kahne will drive the #9 Go ManGo! Dodge Charger in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. The paint schemes are replica versions of the two classic 1960s color schemes available on the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T production vehicles available starting this summer.(Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #19 Team Schemes page and #9 Team Schemes page.(2-12-2005)
AND these schemes are also running in the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway this weekend.(5-7-2005)
- Kahne to run the Longest Yard scheme: In this spring's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, Kasey Kahne will sport some additional firepower on his #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger - that of Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds, stars of the new Paramount Pictures comedy "The Longest Yard," which opens nationally on Memorial Day Weekend.
Kahne, a fan of Sandler classics such as "Happy Gilmore" and "The Wedding Singer," will carry the star's latest movie on the hood of his Dodge Charger to promote the comedy, which will be released nationally on Memorial Day. The #9 Dodge will feature a distinctive black and yellow paint scheme with footballs and prison cell bars. Sandler also will serve as the grand marshal of the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Diecast models of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW "Longest Yard" Dodge Charger will be available late this summer.(ClearBlue), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(4-23-2005)
- 2nd Place before a win...record? at least 3 longer then Kahne: not really sure of the record, but with #9-Kasey Kahne getting his 6th 2nd place finish and not yet winning a Cup Series race, been asked if another driver had finished with more 2nd place finishes before winning their first race.
After a little research and race coverage, five drivers have had more 2nd's before a win:
James Hylton had 12, won in his 187th race, at Richmond in 1970
Harry Gant had 10, won in his 107th race, at Martinsville in 1982
Sterling Marlin had 9, won in his 248th race, at Daytona in 1994
ironically, Bill Elliott had 8, won in his 116th race, at Riverside [CA] in 1983.
Lennie Pond, had 7, won in his 130th race, at Talladega in 1978.
Kahne has six 2nd place finishes in 42 races.(NASCAR Encyclopedia and Forty Years of Stock Car Racing)(4-16/17-2005)
- #9 to Outfit Special 'Reverse' Paint Scheme of Kahne's Signature Dodge Pit Cap: While Kasey Kahne turned out a
season for the record books in 2004, NASCAR fans turned out in record numbers donning Kahne's signature Dodge pit cap at racetracks across the country. As a thank-you for the sea of red Dodge pit caps seen in the grandstands each weekend, Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger will sport a 'reverse' paint scheme of the fan-favorite hat style. The special paint scheme, which will debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2005 Brickyard 400, represents a unique twist on the style of Kahne's well-known red hat. For the first time, Kahne's #9 Dodge Charger will feature a predominantly white design with two red racing stripes across the entire length of the car top - a 'reverse' color design based upon the popular hat and the replica race car scheme that Kahne debuted in the 2004 Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.(Clear!Blue), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2005)
- McDonald's to sponsor Elliott UPDATE and Evernham too: hearing that McDonald's will sponsor the #91 [#98?] Dodge and Bill Elliott at Michigan in June and California in September.(3-17-2005)
UPDATE: McDonald's announced the company has entered into a partnership agreement with Evernham Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The agreement calls for McDonald's to be an associate sponsor on the #9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger driven by 2004 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne and the #91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge Charger that will be driven by [1988] NASCAR champion Bill Elliott at selected Nextel Cup events. The agreement includes a two-race McDonald's primary sponsorship on Elliott's car. The Bill Elliott Racing entry will carry the McDonald's paint scheme at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn (June 19) and California Speedway in Fontana (Sept. 5). Kahne, 24, said that he welcomes the new partnership and is looking forward to being affiliated with McDonald's. McDonald's motorsports programs also include primary sponsorships in the Champ Car World Series with the Newman/Haas team and driver Sebastian Bourdais and in the NASCAR Busch Series with Team Rensi Motorsports and [#35] driver Jason Keller. More info on McDonalds, see www.mcdonalds.com.(McDonald's Racing)(3-28-2005)
- Kahne Scheme: #9-Kasey Kahne will make a return in his popular "Pit Cap" paint scheme at Indianapolis in August. This season the car will feature a reverse paint scheme that will take after the car he debuted at Darlington in 2004.(RacingOne)(2-21-2005)
- New Season of 'NASCAR DRIVERS: 360' return: The FX network has placed a second season order of seven episodes for "NASCAR Drivers: 360." The show, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday lives of NASCAR drivers, premieres May 13 at 10:30 ET. Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Kenny Wallace, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace will be featured during the seven-week run.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-18-2005)
- Kahne to run the Mountain Dew scheme again: #9-Kasey Kahne will take his partnership with Mountain Dew to new heights this season when his first national television commercial for the brand debuts this Sunday and his #9 Dodge features a Mountain Dew paint scheme at next week's race at California Speedway. In the TV spot entitled "Change," not only does Kahne's Dodge go through a number of "changes," but he must also vie for the seat behind the wheel of his own race car. The commercial will air during the FOX broadcast of the Daytona 500 this Sunday, February 20. Kahne's Dew allegiance will also show on the track when he competes in a Mountain Dew paint scheme at the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Sunday, February 27. Kahne's #9 Dodge will showcase the new Mountain Dew graphics that will begin appearing on the brand's product packaging available in stores in March. The last time Kahne's car featured a special Mountain Dew paint scheme he finished second at Michigan International Speedway on June 20, 2004. This marks the fifth straight year that Mountain Dew has sponsored Evernham Motorsports drivers and teams. Pepsi-Cola Company's involvement with NASCAR began when the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, July 2, 2005.(Pepsi Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(2-16-2005)
- Top Banana and Go ManGo! Chargers Unveiled: As part of its introduction of the new limited production 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, Dodge unveiled two new Bud Shootout paint schemes on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Chargers, celebrating the modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car. Jeremy Mayfield will pilot the #19 Top Banana Dodge Charger, and Kasey Kahne will drive the #9 Go ManGo! Dodge Charger in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. The paint schemes are replica versions of the two classic 1960s color schemes available on the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T production vehicles available starting this summer.(Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #19 Team Schemes page and #9 Team Schemes page.(2-12-2005)
- Evernham to design and manufacturer racing parts: The Evernham Group has made its first venture outside the United States with Evernham Advanced Engine Technology, a company based in Northampton, England. It will design and manufacture racing parts for NASCAR and other series and will be headed by Mark McArdle, a veteran engine builder with a long background in Indy Car racing prior to moving to the stock-car ranks.(Speed Channel's Media Tour Notes)(1-26-2005)
- More on the Goodyear tire test at Atlanta: Goodyear Tire testing continued Wednesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway as Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson ran an array of tire compounds in preparation for the March 18-20 Golden Corral 500. Mark Keto, lead engineer for Goodyear's stock car tire development group, said the second day of testing really helped to narrow the field of potential tire compounds for the upcoming Atlanta race weekend. "Today went really well," Keto said, "There are four new tires we've
been working with, plus several from yesterday that are giving the drivers some extra grip and confidence." Engineers also found that even with the new NASCAR rule changes, such as the reduced spoiler height, Kahne and Johnson were running speeds comparable to last fall's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. Goodyear Tire experts will analyze data from the two-day test before finalizing which compound drivers will run during the Golden Corral 500.(AMS PR)(1-15-2005)
- Baldwin looking for safer racing: Tommy Baldwin wants to make short-track racing safer. Baldwin, an accomplished crew chief on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, wants to promote an awareness of safety issues at the short tracks - and lessen the possibility of an accident like the one that claimed the life of his father, Tom Baldwin Sr., during a modified tour event last August. "If a race driver comes to a track and does not like the conditions, he should just walk away," he said. Baldwin, crew chief on the No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, will be at this weekend's Motorsports 2005 [more info click here] show at the Fort Washington Expo Center. On Saturday afternoon, Baldwin plans to deliver his message to short-track racers, promoters and officials during a one-hour seminar. Two-time Busch Series champion driver Randy LaJoie, who fashions custom seats for drivers, and John Downing, creator of the Head and Neck Restraint System (HANS), will also be on hand for the seminar, titled "Helping to Save Lives." The elder Baldwin was killed on Aug. 19 when his race car hit a concrete block at the foot of a light tower after spinning out of a multicar crash at Thompson Speedway in Thompson, Conn., according to a report in the Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. "We want to make the local short-track racing industry aware that what happened to my dad can happen to them," Tommy Baldwin said. "What can car builders do? What can racers do? What can promoters do? What can we all do to make the sport safer? The seminar will answer those questions." Baldwin and LaJoie will also take part in autograph sessions, which are free with the purchase of an admission ticket. The three-day extravaganza opens at 1 p.m. on Friday [Jan 14-Jan 16 and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m.(Philadelphia Inquirer)(1-14-2005)
- Tire Testing at Atlanta Jan 11-12th: A Goodyear Tire test is scheduled for January 11-12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 2004 Rookie of the Year #9-Kasey Kahne and #48-Jimmie Johnson will test the brand new Goodyear compound at NASCAR's fastest track next week as they prepare for the March 18-20 Golden Corral 500 weekend. The test session will be closed to both the media and the public. The test will be the first with the new Atlanta Goodyear tire, which is a different compound than any for any other speedway. Mark Keto, lead engineer for Goodyear's stock car tire development group, said the session will be used to gauge how well the new compound works with the 2005 NASCAR rule changes, such as the reduced spoiler height. NASCAR officials are expected to be on hand to analyze the results. Additional NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series teams are scheduled to test throughout February and March for the spring race weekend. For more information on the Golden Corral 500 weekend, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS PR)(1-9-2005)
- Kahne to be featured in seatbelt commercials: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Nextel Communications Inc. , the title sponsor of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, announced a statewide campaign to promote safe driving, including the dangers of drinking and driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, as well as the importance of wearing seatbelts. Central to the campaign are television commercials, which feature Washington native Kasey Kahne, NASCAR's Rookie of the Year for 2004. WSP and Nextel unveiled the commercials Tuesday at the Washington Motorsports Racing Celebration of Champions in Everett, Wash.(Auto Channel)(12-29-2004)
- Evernham signs Crocker to development deal: Evernham Motorsports announced that it has signed sprint-car star Erin Crocker to a development deal that will allow the hottest young female driver in racing to compete next year in the Silver Crown, ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series. Crocker, the first female to win a World of Outlaws race, caught the attention of Ray Evernham and Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year Kasey Kahne for her performance in open wheel racing. Evernham Motorsports partnered with Kasey Kahne Motorsports and has signed Crocker to an agreement that involves her running the Silver Crown Series in a Kasey Kahne Motorsports car, along with three Busch races and three ARCA races in an Evernham Dodge. Sponsors for the program have not yet been announced. “This is like a dream come true,” said Erin Crocker. “When Ray Evernham called, I was considering several options. But once that phone rang, my mind was made up. It is an unbelievable opportunity to race for him – if you consider what he done with other rookies such as Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. This is a chance for me to learn as much as I can, in several different types of cars, from the best in the business. I get to race with a team that focuses on innovation and inspiration, and drive for a leader who puts teamwork, engineering and technology first. It’s absolutely incredible.” Crocker has already moved to Charlotte, N.C. to prepare for her intensive training program. When not racing, Crocker likes to participate in outdoor sports, shop and spend time with her friends and family.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(12-8-2004)
- Kasey Kahne signs with Avon: Avon Products announced that it has signed Kasey Kahne, to a promotional agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed. Kahne, 24, drives the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge for Evernham Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He was the 2004 Raybestos Rookie of the Year and finished 13th in the season points standings. Under the agreement, Kasey Kahne will serve as the spokesperson for Avon’s Pro Sport Daily Performance product line. In the second quarter of 2005, Kasey Kahne will be featured on the front cover of M – The Men’s Catalog, and will also be featured in public relations and the Internet. M – The Men’s Catalog launched October 2004 and offered 16-pages of men’s grooming products and accessories. This new, highly stylized catalog will be distributed quarterly, and affiliated with a variety of universally accepted men’s brands. “Avon is a great brand – everyone knows them as a leader in the beauty products and grooming industry,” says Kasey Kahne. “I’m honored to have been selected as the spokesperson for the ProSport Daily Performance line and excited to be a part of the Avon family.” Avon product lines include such recognizable brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness. Avon also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry and apparel.(Evernham Motorsports site)(12-5-2004)
- Slugger leaves DEI UPDATE: Richard "Slugger" Labbe -- who served as #15-Michael Waltrip's crew chief earlier this season and also worked with Earnhardt Jr. Truex's teams, has left DEI and joined Evernham Motorsports. Evernham officials confirmed Labbe has been named director of speedway development, over Evernham's #9 and #19 Dodges, driven by Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield, respectively.(ThatsRacin.com)(12-1-2004)
UPDATE: Richard "Slugger" Labbe, former crew chief for Michael Waltrip at DEI, has been hired to oversee Evernham Motorsports' speedway development program for drivers Kasey Kahne's and Jeremy Mayfield's restrictor-plate efforts. Labbe has already started work in Evernham's Statesville, N.C., shop in preparation for the 2005 season, which opens with the Daytona 500 -- a restrictor-plate race.(NASCAR.com)(12-4-2004)
- Kahne going for a tie of the record UPDATE nope: with 1 race left, #9-Kasey Kahne is chasing NASCAR's modern-era [1972-present] record for top-five finishes by a rookie driver. Kahne is one of only six drivers to have scored 10 or more top-five finishes this season.
Most top fives by a Cup series rookie (1972-2004)
14 by Ryan Newman in 2002, 36 races [38%]
13 by Kasey Kahne in 2004, 36 races [36%]
12 by Tony Stewart in 1999, 34 races [35%]
11 by Dale Earnhardt in 1979, ran 27 of 31 races [41%]
9 by Davey Allison in 1987, 22 of 29 races [41%](11-18-2004)
UPDATE: it didn't happen as Kahne finished 38th.(11-21-2004)
- Evernham Motorsports wins the championship: Evernham Motorsports won the Inaugural Totally Racin' Flag Football League Championship, beating Roush Racing 40-35. Totally Racin' Softball and Flag Football League founder/coordinator Bob Hubner is now looking to start a Totally Racin' Basketball League in January 2005 for NASCAR Teams in the Mooresville/Charlotte, NC area. More info at racecityresumes.com.(11-18-2004)
- Kahne back to run the #2 Truck: Nextel Cup rookie Kasey Kahne will make another start in the #2 Ultra Motorsports Dodge in Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kahne won Saturday's truck race at Darlington Raceway in his first-ever start in the Truck Series.(Las Vegas Sun)(11-17-2004)
- NASCAR to investigate Harvick-Kahne clash UPDATE: NASCAR officials said they will investigate an incident between drivers #29-Kevin Harvick and #9-Kasey Kahne to determine if disciplinary action is needed. Kahne tried to pass Harvick on the last lap Sunday as the two cars bumped. When the race ended, Harvick pulled in front of Kahne's car and blocked it before walking over to confront Kahne. Harvick, though, was restrained by crew members. "Kahne started running into me after a caution, so I wanted to stop and ask him what the problem was," Harvick said. "Before that, I got to him a little bit, so I guess he was ticked off. But we were just racing hard."(Dallas Morning News)(11-8-2004)
UPDATE: Drivers Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne were fined $10,000 each and placed on probation for their actions during an on-track incident that occurred after the conclusion of Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR officials announced today. Harvick, driver of the# 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, and Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports, were penalized for violating Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book when the two made deliberate contact with each other following the conclusion of the race. Both drivers’ probation periods will extend to Nov. 30.(NASCAR PR)(11-10-2004)
- Kahne going for the record: with 3 races left, #9-Kasey Kahne is chasing NASCAR's modern-era record for top-five
finishes by a rookie driver. Kahne is one of only five drivers to have scored 10 or more top-five finishes this season.
Most top fives by a Cup series rookie (1972-2004)
14 by Ryan Newman in 2002, 36 races [38%]
12 by Tony Stewart in 1999, 34 races [35%]
11 by Dale Earnhardt in 1979, ran 27 of 31 races [41%]
11 by Kasey Kahne in 2004 after 33 races [33%]
9 by Davey Allison in 1987, 22 of 29 races [41%](11-2-2004)
- Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper to sponsor Evernham Motorsports: In their continued quest for high performance, aftermarket auto parts giant Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper has inked its first NASCAR deal as associate sponsor of Evernham Motorsports and includes primary status on the #91 Dodge in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and on the #79 Dodge in the NASCAR Busch Series. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper is the first aftermarket auto parts distribution network to partner with Evernham Motorsports. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s partnership with Evernham Motorsports is a multi-faceted marketing program. The automotive aftermarket brands take the lead with the primary sponsorship of the #91 Dodge in 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup races at Michigan International Speedway on August 25, 2005, and Texas Motor Speedway International on November 6, 2005. Veteran racer and former NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Bill Elliott will drive the #91 Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Dodge. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper will be an associate sponsor of the #91 Dodge for all other races in 2005 and will receive branding on Elliott’s uniform, team haulers and pit equipment. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s partnership with Evernham Motorsports also includes primary sponsorship of the #79 Dodge. In the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series, Kasey Kahne will drive the #79 Dodge at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 16, 2005 and teammate and NEXTEL Chase contender, Jeremy Mayfield, will take the wheel at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 14, 2005. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s association with Evernham also will be used in key customer outreach efforts, retail marketing efforts and internal promotions. The affiliation will compliment Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s existing partnership with NASCAR and its new NASCAR Performance Network program, a branding and locator platform associating Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s parts stores or service centers with NASCAR’s 75 million fans.(Clear!Blue PR)(11-2-2004)
- Evernham Tribute UPDATE / IMAGE: Hearing that in remembrance and tribute to Hendrick family and Motorsports, all Evernham Motorsports cars will run the remaining races of the year with black numbers, including this weekend's special Mad Magazine schemes.(10-27-2004)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports Dodges driven by Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne will carry black numbers #19 and #9, respectively, the remainder of the season in memory of the victims in the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash last Sunday. Also, the tail number of the plane, 501RH, will be in front of the rear wheel well on the Evernham Motorsports Dodges.(Clear!Blue PR)(10-29-2004)
IMAGE see an image of the car with the black number #9 and the plane number [circled in the image] on my #9 Team Paint Schemes page.(10-31-2004)
- Mopar Scheme at Lowe's for Kahne: This October, at the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the Mopar logo will adorn a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series entry for the first time in the brand's history. During the event, the familiar #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne will boast a new hue that features the blue, black, and silver colors representative of Mopar. This momentous occasion in Mopar's history is one that signifies Mopar's dedication to the sport of racing. "We are proud to have Kasey Kahne carry the Mopar logo for the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway," said Kevin Miller, Senior Brand, Performance Parts Portfolio and Brand Strategy for Mopar. "The race drivers who compete under the Mopar banner are among the best in the business, and Kasey Kahne is indicative of what the Mopar brand stands for. Having the Mopar logo showcased in a premier event such as the UAW-GM 500 represents what Mopar's racing endeavors encompass - the longevity and staying power of the sport." The Mopar "bling-bling" paint scheme that Kahne will carry was designed by Competition Graphics of Farmington Hills, Mich. Featuring the Mopar "M" logo, as well as the barbed wire paint scheme utilized by Team Mopar throughout the 2004 season, Kahne's car will carry on the brand's unique and authentic motorsports influence. Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.(Kasey Kahne site)(10-4-2004)
- Last Week for Summer Sales Driver Scheme: The #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge's will run its "Dodge Summer
Sales Drive" paint scheme for the final week in Bristol. #9-Kasey Kahne's and #!9-Jeremy Mayfield's Dodge's has run this paint scheme since racing at Chicago in July.(ClearBlue PR)(8-25-2004)
- Dew Crew Roster Change: Nick O'Dell has replaced Jim Pohlman as front tire changer for the #9 Dew Crew. O'Dell worked as the front tire changer on the #91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge team earlier this year. O'Dell also served as front tire changer for the #9 Dew Crew at Michigan and Watkins Glen. Jim Pohlman remains lead mechanic on the team.(ClearBlue PR)(8-25-2004)
- NASCAR community shows support for Baldwin: In light of the passing last week of Tom Baldwin Sr., many of those in the racing community who were close to Tom flew to New York on Monday night to pay their respects. Car owner Ray Evernham provided one of his planes and joined Mike Joy, Matt Yocum, Pat and Jimmy Spencer, Mike Calinoff, Kasey Kahne and Dodge executives for the viewing on Long Island. Over 1000 people were in attendance.(8-24-2004)
- Baldwin wins Wiper Award: Internet voters have selected Tommy Baldwin Jr. as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Kasey Kahne brought Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge home fifth in Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Baldwin collected his third win of the season in the voting after he guided Kahne home after his father, Tom Baldwin Sr., died in a NASCAR Modified race Thursday night. Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 Chevrolet, continues to lead the competition for the $10,000 prize that will be given to the crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the year..(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-24-2004)
- Tommy Badwin's Father Passes Away after Racing Accident: NASCAR Modified racer Tom Baldwin Sr., father to Nextel Cup Series [#9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne] crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., passed away as a result of an accident in Thursday night's NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race at Thompson Motor Speedway (CT). Following the accident, the race was called while Connecticut State Police investigated the accident site. Baldwin had to be cut from the car and was taken to the Hubbard Regional Hospital, in Webster, MA.(Speed51.com), Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.
From NASCAR.com: Baldwin's plans for MIS weekend unclear.(8-20-2004)
Tommy Baldwin Jr. remained at the Michigan track Friday, working with Kahne's team. "I've got an airplane standing by," car owner Ray Evernham said. "I'm going to leave it totally up to him if he feels comfortable here working and doesn't want to be sitting alone somewhere." Evernham and team competition director Sammy Johns will be at the track this weekend to help with Kahne's team.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Lucia & Orlando Funeral Home in Patchogue, N.Y. The funeral will be there at 10 a.m. Wednesday.(8-21-2004)
From a Dodge /Clearblue PR - Question to Tommy Baldwin Jr.:
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ASK OF THE FANS?
"We appreciate all the support. In lieu of all the donations and flowers, if they could just put it in my father's memory and send it to the Victory Junction Gang and let those kids enjoy their lives. My dad enjoyed his life thoroughly. Those kids, going to that camp through the week and having a blast, maybe my dad with this tragedy can touch some more hearts."(8-21-2004)
- Special Paint for Kahne at Darlington: Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will sport a paint scheme to match Signature Red Hat in the last Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in November. Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will become a replica of the hat that has become a necessity for every Kasey Kahne fan. It will be painted red with white stripes down the length of the car and will have the Dodge logo on the hood. The new paint scheme will debut in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Nov. 14. Kahne's signature pit cap ranked fifth in sales on the NASCAR circuit from January through June, with approximately 6,000 units sold.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(8-4-2004)
- Kahne offers apology to Busch: #9-Kasey Kahne said he thought #97-Kurt Busch had made contact with #20-Tony Stewart's car to begin a crash on Lap 108 that doomed Stewart to a 35th-place finish and also led to damage on Kahne's Dodge when Stewart bounced off the wall in front of the #9 Dodge. Kahne admitted to hitting Busch's car under caution right after that. "A few laps before he (Busch) ran into my door pretty good, and then that happened with Tony," Kahne said. "I thought he ran into Tony and our race was over. I definitely need to apologize to Kurt. There was no need for that. I was just frustrated at the time. I need to control myself."(ThatsRacin.com)(8-2-2004)
- Stewart Welcomes 3-car Team; Talks to Kahne also: #20-Tony Stewart is not concerned about dwindling resources at Joe Gibbs Racing if the team adds a third Nextel Cup team for the 2005 season. The team currently fields a pair of Chevrolets for Bobby Labonte and Stewart. “You don’t have to have three times the equipment,” Stewart said. “A lot of times you can utilize the same resources and not necessarily have to have so many extras. If you have adequate resources to start with I think it helps. If you’re a team that doesn’t have enough funding to begin with it can be a distraction and take away from the effort.” Regarding the addition of a driver, Stewart doesn’t have a preference between a veteran and a rookie. “There’s pros and cons to having a veteran, and there’s pros and cons to having a rookie. It could really go either way. You could have a rookie and do just fine or you could have a veteran and do just fine.” The 2002 series champion also says that he had a phone conversation with Kasey Kahne today, discussed their Ju! ly 11 coming together at Chicagoland Speedway and that “there’s no problems between Kasey and I. It was a very productive phone call.”(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-27-2004)
- Kahne and Crew OK after wreck: A van carrying six members of Kasey Kahne's crew was hit from behind Sunday morning on the way to New Hampshire International Speedway. The van was stopped in traffic when it was rear-ended and knocked into another car. The only reported injury was to Jeff Seaburg, driver of the team's transport truck, who was sitting in the back of the van. Seaburg was treated at a Concord hospital for a strained back and released. He got to the track in time for the start of the race, but team officials decided Seaburg would use someone else to drive the transporter back to the team's shop in Statesville, N.C.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(7-26-2004)
- #9 and #19 Schemes for the Summer: the #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will continue to run its new paint scheme this weekend in New Hampshire. The new scheme will run through the August 28th race in Bristol in support of Dodge's
Summer Sales Drive.(Clear!Blue PR)(7-20-2004)
- Ford sues Kahne UPDATE: NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne is being sued by Ford Motor Co. in Wayne County Circuit Court for allegedly breaking a contract with Robert Yates Racing to pursue a more lucrative deal to drive Dodge race cars. Kahne, 24, is the top rookie on the Nextel Cup circuit. He is 14th in the points standings after 18 races and has five top-five finishes. Ford has not yet said how much it would seek in damages, but according to a summons filed in court Friday, the breach of contract is more than $25,000. According to the lawsuit, Ford and Yates signed a contract with Kahne that required him to drive Ford cars for the team and appear in promotional activities. But last October, according to documents filed in court by the plaintiff, Kahne dropped Ford and started driving Dodges for a team owned by Ray Evernham. Kahne took over the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports after Bill Elliott decided to run a limited schedule this season. Kahne's lawyer, Harvey Heller, said Monday that as a policy the firm did not comment on cases involving its clients but said an answer to the charge will be filed in court later this week.(Detroit Free Press)(7-13-2004)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne's lawyer fired back Thursday at Ford Motor Co., saying the NASCAR driver's former sponsor breached the personal services agreement it made with Kahne, which gave the top-ranked rookie in the Nextel Cup circuit every right to drive for someone else. Ford filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court last Friday that said Kahne broke a contract with the company and Robert Yates Racing by agreeing to drive Dodges for Ray Evernham Motorsports. In documents filed in federal court Thursday, Kahne's lawyers argued that the personal services agreement was not an enforceable contract and that Ford didn't offer Kahne a chance to race in the Nextel series, which released Kahne of his obligations to the company. "What's happened here is Kasey has had an extraordinary rookie season at Nextel,"' said Kahne's lawyer, Paul LiCalsi, who spoke to reporters in a conference call. "Ford is embarrassed. When Ford could not agree with Kasey because they were either unable to or didn't have the vision to agree to put him in a Nextel car, he had no obligation to them."(Detroit Free Press)(7-16-2004)
- Baldwin Fined: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup crew chief Tommy Baldwin was fined $10,000 for an incident that occurred
this past weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Baldwin, the crew chief for the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge of Kasey Kahne, was fined $5,000 for violating Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). That penalty was assessed for being involved in an altercation in another Competitor’s pit area. Baldwin also was fined $5,000 for violating Section 9-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book (The crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his/her driver, car owner and team members), and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2004. The incident occurred during Sunday’s Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland.(NASCAR PR)(7-13-2004)
AND Evernham Statement: Responding to the penalties imposed by NASCAR today, Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, issued the following statement: "NASCAR has made its decision; now it's time to move on," Evernham said. "I understand why Tommy (Baldwin, crew chief for the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) and the team reacted the way they did in the heat of competition. NASCAR has rules. I agree with rules. Evernham Motorsports also has rules. NASCAR has made its decision and imposed its penalties. Now, I will impose the appropriate penalties for Evernham Motorsports. This is behind us now. As a team, our focus is on the upcoming events and the future."(Clear!Blue PR)(7-14-2004)
- NASCAR....Stewart/Kahne = racing incident: NASCAR spokesman Herb Branham said officials considered the #20-Tony Stewart / #9-Kasey Kahne accident a "racing incident and nothing more," and if a penalty was required, it would have been assessed during the race. Branham said that NASCAR was reviewing the pit-road brawl. "If any penalties results, they will be announced later this week."(many sources) all kinds of columns with quotes and comments from all involved on my Article/Column/Story links page.(7-12-2004)
- Kahne's Ford Contract Revealed: A lawsuit filed June 16 by Ford against Nextel Cup driver Kasey Kahne in district court in Michigan provides insight into the Ford/Kahne contract dispute that began when Kahne joined Ray Evernham’s Dodge team for the 2004 Cup season. The contract, which is at the center of the dispute, doesn’t provide any clear answers, however, according to a story in NASCAR Scene. According to the story, Ford was under no obligation to put Kahne in a Cup car for 2004, but Kahne had refusal rights regarding rides set up for him by Ford. In the suit, Ford contends that it “expended substantial financial and other resources to enhance defendant Kahne’s competitiveness and marketability” without reaping any benefits. The contract, signed in 2002, stipulates that Ford would pay Kahne a $30,000 signing bonus and $200,000 annually for being a Ford driver. He was also required to do 12 appearances a year for the automaker. Kahne contends that he has fulfilled his contractual obligations, and he has not filed a response to the suit in court.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-2-2004)
- 2nd's for Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne has four second-place finishes in 2004, what is the record? 12, done by Bobby Allison in the 1972 season.(Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup TV show)(6-22-2004)
AND Rookie -of-the-Year contender Kasey Kahne has scored four second-place finishes in 2004. The last time a driver scored more than four second-place finishes in their rookie season occurred in 2002 when Ryan Newman scored a record setting five second-place finishes. Newman also scored his first career victory that season winning at Loudon in September 2002. James Hylton is the only other driver to score four second-place finishes in his rookie season in 1966.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-23-2004)
- Ford taking legal action against Kahne? UPDATE: Word from Ford sources that Ford Motor Company is reportedly taking legal action against Dodge sensation #9-Kasey Kahne over its contract with Kahne. Kahne, the sport's hottest rookie, deferred to his agents, Rod Moskowitz and Cary Agajanian. Moskowitz: "We have no comment at this time. Kasey said earlier this year that he has fulfilled all his obligations to Ford, and our position remains the same." Ford gave Kahne a major break by putting together a Busch package with Robert Yates. That Ford contract contained a clause that allowed Ford, if Kahne were offered a Cup deal by a rival car maker, to keep Kahne if Ford could match that deal with a ride of similar capability. When Dodge's Ray Evernham offered Kahne the ride Bill Elliott was winning in last fall, Ford appeared unable to match it. Or at least that's the way the situation was explained at Daytona earlier this year. It's unclear what Ford's actions might mean, what situation Dodge and Evernham might now be in, and what might happen next.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-19-2004)
UPDATE: The latest on Ford's legal action against Kasey Kahne: Kahne was served with papers when he landed here Thursday, informing him of the suit over breach of contract. Ford apparently only wants to recoup some of its investment in Kahne, 24, not to park him or put him back in a Ford. Part of Kahne's decision to leave Ford for Dodge and car owner Ray Evernham followed Robert Yates' decision not to expand to a third Cup team for Kahne, who was driving a Busch car for Yates. The turning point, one source said, could have come last September when Yates put Jason Jarrett in a third Cup car at Talladega instead of Kahne.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-20-2004)
- Mountain Dew back on the #9 and #19 - #9 at MIS: Evernham Motorsports teammates Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne showed their alliance to the "Dew Crew" today when they unveiled their Mountain Dew Dodge paint-outs plastered with the team green at the Michigan International Speedway. "Fueled by Dew," Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will feature a Mountain Dew paint scheme when he competes in the DHL 400 this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Mayfield will race in his Mountain Dew-themed #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge at the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on November 14. Mountain Dew is sponsoring Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield throughout the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Both drivers are making appearances for Mountain Dew during the season and they are featured on in-store display materials. In addition, Mountain Dew sponsors the over-the-wall pit crews for Kahne and Mayfield. Their teams are known as the "Dew Crew."
"The association between Mountain Dew and Evernham Motorsports is such a big part of our race team and I've enjoyed working with them," said Mayfield who is in his third season as a driver for Evernham Motorsports. "Everything they do is so much fun to be a part of. I'm excited about the Dew paint scheme I'll be running at Darlington and look forward to making the other drivers green with envy."
"This is my first year being associated with Mountain Dew, it's been fun so far," said rookie driver Kasey Kahne. "Everyone on the team has been great to work with and each week I meet new people who are part of the Mountain Dew team. I love Mountain Dew, so working with them comes naturally. Running the Dew car at Michigan this weekend is something I'm looking forward to. It's always fun to drive a car with different paint on it. It gets the fans' attention and if you do well it helps the sponsors." This marks the fourth year that Mountain Dew has sponsored Evernham Motorsports. Pepsi-Cola North America, the makers of Mountain Dew, has been involved with NASCAR since the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of NASCAR Nextel Cup races in Daytona, Fla. (Pepsi 400), and Darlington, S.C. (Mountain Dew Southern 500).(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR), see images of the cars on my #9 Team Paint Schemes and #19 Team Paint Schemes pages.(6-18-2004)
- Kahne is Hot: This week People Magazine picks, for the fifth year, "The 50 Hottest Bachelors" in a special double issue. From a pro tennis player (Andy Roddick), to a NASCAR driver (Kasey Kahne) and an astronaut (Benjamin Alvin Drew), there's someone for everyone. This year PEOPLE has chosen actor Orlando Bloom as Bachelor #1. #9-Kasey Kahne was chosen in the "At the To of the Game" Section.(Clear!Blue PR)(6-17-2004)
- No one in the garage believes NASCAR? Kahne too low? Yesterday's problems [at Pocono] were yet another chapter in one of the biggest stories of the season - NASCAR's dwindling credibility and numerous faux pas. One team owner, who declined to be named, shook his head and said: "I've been in this sport 30 years, and NASCAR's credibility in the garage is at an all-time low. Nobody believes them anymore." Among questions raised here: Was Kasey Kahne's car too low after winning Friday's pole and did NASCAR ignore it, as several rivals complained? Was Michael Waltrip's Talladega car too low and did NASCAR ignore that, as rivals too complain? The lower the nose, the faster the car. Car owner Ray Evernham denied that Kahne's car was too low: "Nothing was brought to my attention about our car being low, so I would say that's probably fake".(read more at the Winston Salem Journal)(6-14-2004)
- Evernham may get into the engine business: Evernham Motorsports [#9,#19,#91] owner Ray Evernham said he is looking to expand his engine program and has had preliminary talks with several NASCAR teams. Although the most likely case would be to start building engines for a new team in 2005, Evernham said he could be ready sooner. "I think if we had someone who came to us and said we needed engines, we could do something right now. How extensive an effort we could manage right away remains to be seen," Evernham said. There are at least three full-time Nextel Cup Series Dodge organization that do not currently build their own engines, Petty Enterprises, BAM Racing and Arnold Motorsports.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-11-2004)
- President Bush appoints Kahne: President George W. Bush announced his intention to nominate three individuals and appoint seventeen individuals to serve in his Administration: The President intends to nominate Alexander A. Karsner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy). Mr. Karsner currently serves as Managing Director for Enercorp, LLC. Prior to this, he served as Director of Development & Senior Development Manager for Wartsila Power Development & Wartsila Diesel Development Ltd. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Honorable Moses Cheng Mo-Chi, former Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, Mr. Karsner served as International Project Director for Tondu Energy Systems. Mr. Karsner received his bachelor's degree from Rice University and his master's degree from Hong Kong University. The President intends to nominate Donald R. DePriest, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, for a term to expire on May 18, 2009.
The President intends to nominate Vince J. Juaristi, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, for the remainder of a five year term expiring February 8, 2009. The President intends to appoint seventeen individuals to be Members of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, for two-year terms, including Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports.(White House site)(12-31-2005)
- Knaus leaving Hendrick? UPDATE denied: hearing [or have leaned] that #48 Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Chad Knaus will leave the team and driver Jimmie Johnson and go back to Evernham Motorsports [was one of Evernham's first hires, until moving to #92 Melling team in 2001], then Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 to crew chief Johnson.
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports says Knaus has no plans to leave Hendrick Motorsports and has multiple years remaining
on his contract.(12-2-2005)
- Baldwin leaving Evernham? to Yates? UPDATEs MANY: hearing that #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin could be leaving Evernham Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne.(9-18-2005)
UPDATE: hearing Baldwin could end up at the #38 M&M's/Robert Yates Racing team as Elliott Sadler's crew chief.(9-19-2005)
more updates: see the #9 Team News and Links page for all the past rumors since Sept...getting kinda long.
UPDATE 2 - Baldwin teaming up with Yates? hearing that Tommy Baldwin, former #9 Crew Chief for Kasey Kahne, will go to Robert Yates Racing in some fashion, crew chief/part owner. Also has been rumored that a current one car operation, such as #50 Arnold Motorsports or #66 Peak Performance could partner up with RYR, which could include ownership by Baldwin, something that was mentioned in the Evernham Motorsports release on Tuesday [see below or the #9 Team News and Links page for more on that]. Cabela's is the sponsor on the #66 car this week and have heard it could become a full-time sponsor in 2006. Expect some sort of announcement this weekend at Homestead.(11-17-2005)
MORE the Yates-Baldwin press conference planned for Saturday morning has been canceled, what does it mean? no idea.(11-18-2005)
MORE II: Tommy Baldwin's future plans apparently include a cooperative effort with Robert Yates Racing. It was announced earlier this week that Baldwin, who has been Kasey Kahne's crew chief at Evernham Motorsports, was leaving that team. And his desire to own a team is well-known.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-19-2005)
UPDATE 100: on Speed Channel's NASCAR This Morning, Bob Dilner said Baldwins plans to start his own Cup team, but not until the 2007 season...not sure what his 2006 plans may be, but still hearing it'll be with Yates.(11-20-2005)
- Baldwin gone from Evernham? UPDATE New Team Structure at Evernham: hearing #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin Jr. has left Evernham Motorsports, no word on where he is headed.
MORE hearing this is true and that there could be some crew swapping between the #9 and #19.
UPDATE 8: As the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season winds down, planning for 2006 is already well underway at Evernham Motorsports. For President and CEO Ray Evernham, it is anything but business as usual. Evernham is developing a new architecture for team success, one designed to foster better collective thinking, decision making and intellectual innovation. In 2006, Evernham will do away with the crew chief position on all of his race teams, instead installing a leadership team similar to many corporate structures. Each of the Evernham Motorsports Nextel Cup teams will have a Team Director, a Car Director and an Engineer. Evernham designed the new team structure with an eye toward the future and the continued evolution of the sport.
#19: For 2006, the leadership and team members of Evernham Motorsports will shift their alignment to better share the knowledge and thought-processes throughout the organization. The team that comprises the #91 Evernham Dodge Charger today will move to the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, driven by Jeremy Mayfield. It will be led by Chris Andrews as Team Director. Kirk Almquist will be the Car Director and Tim Malinovsky will be the Engineer.
#9: The #19 team will shift to the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, which Kasey Kahne will continue to drive. Kenny Francis will be the Team Director for the #9 team, Mike Shiplett will be the Car Director and Keith Rodden will be the Engineer.
#10: The #9 team will support the new No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Charger and driver Scott Riggs. Rodney Childers is the acting Team Director, and the leadership team will be announced at a later date.
The new team structure will be in effect for the final race of the 2005 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2005.
Tommy Baldwin, Team Director of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger, will serve as a team consultant at Miami before moving on to pursue his dreams of running his own team. "Tommy will be leaving Evernham Motorsports to hopefully start his own operation," added Evernham. "He's very interested in being a team owner, and I want to help him get started just like Rick Hendrick helped me get started. I've known Tommy since he was 10 or 11 years old, and wish him the very best in the future."
"I appreciate the opportunity to work with Ray for several years," said Baldwin. "I've learned an awful lot from him. I also appreciate him letting me move on and helping me accomplish what I want to accomplish in the future. I came to Ray some time ago and told him this is what I've wanted to do. He didn't have any problems with that. He was in the same position with Rick (Hendrick) when he wanted to move on. Ray has helped me through all this and helped my decision making. I'm thankful for his friendship. Kasey and I have talked about this," he added. "He's going to win plenty of races with me or without me. He just has a God-given talent. I'm not worried about that. I'm glad I've become really good friends with him, and hopefully we can carry that into the future."
The remaining positions within the new team structure at Evernham Motorsports are expected to be named in the next few weeks.(Clear!Blue/Evernham Motorsports PR)(11-15-2005)
- Baldwin leaving Evernham? UPDATE 6: hearing that #9 crew chief, Tommy Baldwin could be leaving Evernham Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne.(9-18-2005)
UPDATE: hearing Baldwin could end up at the #38 M&M's/Robert Yates Racing team as Elliott Sadler's crew chief.(9-19-2005)
UPDATE 2: Baldwin recently signed a contract with Evernham Motorsports that runs thru 2010. "The only way I would leave, I guess is if Ray [Evernham] threw me out," say Baldwin. "We're not talking with him," Yates Team Manager Eddie D'Hondt said. "He's got a pretty strong contract where he is and he's happy where he is." [Evernham and #9 Kahne](NASCAR Scene Magazine)(10-1-2005)
UPDATE 3 - it's back... hearing once again that #9 Crew Chief, Tommy Baldwin will be parting ways with Evernham Motorsports, could be after Atlanta or at the end of the season, no word this time, where he would end up.(10-29-2005)
UPDATE 4: There were rumors Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for Mayfield's teammate #9-Kasey Kahne, wanted out [of Evernham Motorsports]. Baldwin said he's not going anywhere.(Sporting News)(10-31-2005)
UPDATE 5: #9-Kasey Kahne could have a new crew chief next season, with Chris Andrews taking over for Tommy Baldwin, according to team sources. Where Baldwin might wind up is unclear. At the moment Andrews said he expects to be working with Scott Riggs, the newest addition to Ray Evernham's lineup.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-11-2005)
UPDATE 6: #9 Crew chief Tommy Baldwin was noncommittal yesterday about his future plans, despite increasing speculation he wouldn't be back with car owner Ray Evernham as head of Kasey Kahne's team. Evernham released crew chief Richard 'Slugger' Labbe three weeks ago.(Winston Salem Journal), rumors have Badwin going to wither Robert Yates Racing team or Petty Enterprises.(11-12-2005)
- #9 and #19 get newe 2006 paint schemes: When the green flag falls at the 2006 Daytona 500 next February, the Dodge Chargers of Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne will be sporting bold new paint schemes reflective of the bold design of the popular Dodge Charger production vehicle. The new 2006 Dodge Dealers paint scheme provides Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield distinctive yet familiar team identities. The new scheme maintains the Dodge trademark red color and provides greater on-track visibility for Dodge Dealers.
The #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger of Jeremy Mayfield will still feature the bright red hood with the signature Dodge Ram's head and branding for the Dodge Dealers. But, the Dodge Charger will carry black doors and fenders with red numbers on the side and white numbers on the roof. Mayfield drove a black car in several races in 2005, and made a special request for a cool black Dodge Charger for 2006.
Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger also will have a new look for 2006. His Charger will carry the same bright red hood and Dodge Ram logo as the #19, but will have white doors and fenders. The numbers on the side of the car will be black and the top of the car will be white. Diecast models of the new #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Chargers will be available through Action Performance beginning February. To purchase online, visit evernhammotorsports.com.(Clear!Blue PR)(11-15-2005)
- Kahne Unveils Final Goodyear Garage Customized Vehicle: Kasey Kahne unveiled a customized 2005 Dodge Ram to fans at his race shop last week that will be won via sweepstakes. The tricked-out vehicle is part of the Goodyear Garage program, Goodyear's interactive and online consumer attraction. The truck can be won online by a lucky fan through www.GoodyearGarage.com from Oct. 12 through Dec. 4. Kahne's personalized Dodge Ram is the last of the four customized vehicles within the 2005 Goodyear program. Earlier in the year, NASCAR stars Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick also had special vehicles customized through the Goodyear Garage program, which have been won by adoring fans. "I was really excited when I heard about this program with Goodyear," Kahne
said. "Getting a chance to trick out a truck is any guy's dream, but working with Jeff Kelderman, whose ideas and designs are ingenious, made the deal even sweeter. I appreciate the opportunity from Goodyear to work with Dodge and McDonald's to benefit the children of the Ronald McDonald House." An added bonus of the Goodyear Garage program is an online auction where fans can bid on their favorite driver's personalized items.(Goodyear PR), more info and links on my Racing Charities page.(10-22-2005)
- Kahne to run a Dodge Ram Mega Cab Paint Scheme at Texas: Kasey Kahne and the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger team will debut a special paint scheme featuring the new Dodge Mega Cab -- World's Biggest Cab -- on Nov. 6 in the Dickies 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Since everything is bigger in Texas, TMS will provide a perfect high-speed stage
to unveil the new paint scheme. The all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab features the World’s Biggest Cab with Best-in-Class interior room and comfort. Powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine as standard equipment, the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab also is available with a Cummins Turbo diesel. Beginning on Oct. 18, fans can register at www.worldsbiggestcab.com to win prizes associated with the unveiling of the new paint scheme. Fifty die-cast cars with the Ram Mega Cab paint scheme from Action Performance will be given away in addition to five SRT Racing School experiences, a VIP Daytona 500 trip for two and a 1500 SLT Dodge Ram Mega Cab. Deadline for entries is Nov. 9.(Clear!Blue PR), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(10-17-2005)
- Fines, Penalties and Probations Result from New Hampshire Infractions
NASCAR issued fines and penalties Monday to four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, resulting from rule violations this past weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway.
• Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge, was fined $25,000 because of an on-track altercation with another competitor during a caution period and placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Kahne violated Section 12-4-A of the series rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing). Kahne was also penalized 25 driver championship points and car owner Ray Evernham losing 25 owner championship points. “There have been a growing number of incidents lately where drivers have taken matters into their own hands. Such unsafe and inappropriate behavior has to stop,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. NASCAR will use whatever means necessary to stop it.”(NASCAR PR)
updated points on Jayski's Drivers/Owners Points after New Hampshire page.(9-19-2005)
- Kahne honored in hometown: An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people swarmed downtown Enumclaw [WA] for “Kasey Kahne Day,” an all-day festival sponsored by Allstate, the City of Enumclaw and the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce. On Labor Day, Kahne, who lives in Huntersville, N.C., came home to what began as a familiar celebration. Food and vendor booths invited passers-by. The smell of corn dogs and mochas filled the air. Kids chomped on snow cones. As afternoon approached, people left the food and vendor booths and filled a vast parking lot where Kahne was scheduled to take the stage under a large tent. When he did, people in red jerseys, T-shirts and jackets that paid homage to their hero, erupted with cheers and applause. “This is actually the first time I’ve seen this much red, and it’s not Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” Kahne said. On stage, Enumclaw Mayor John Wise dedicated “Kasey Kahne Drive” as the new name of a street in town. “There’s no speedin’ on that street,” Kahne said. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Kahne presented a $1,000 scholarship to a recent graduate of Enumclaw High School and answered questions people had written on scraps of paper.(more at the Tacoma News)(9-6-2005)
- Kahne to be honored in hometown today: On Monday [Sept 5th], #9-Kasey Kahne will return to his hometown of Enumclaw, Wash., to receive the keys to the city and celebrate his second season of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing with his hometown fans.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the city will host Kasey Kahne Day, with fan activities throughout the day. There will be a classic car show and a
display of each type of race car Kahne drove along the way to becoming a Nextel Cup driver. There will be a special appearance by the Kasey Kahne Juniors, the micro mini sprint car drivers sponsored by Kahne.
At noon, the mayor of Enumclaw, John Wyse, will present Kahne with the keys to the city and rename one of the city's thoroughfares "Kasey Kahne Drive." At 2:15 p.m., Kahne will hold a press conference at Mark Toppings Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, which houses the Kasey Kahne merchandise store. During the press conference, Kahne will share details about his new Kasey Kahne Foundation.
At 3 p.m., Kahne will sign autographs at the dealership for 800 fans who received wristbands through local distribution. For more
information, visit www.kaseykahne.com.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-5-2005)
- Evernham Announcement at Indy UPDATE 2: #9, #19, #91 [#10 in 2006] team owner Ray Evernham and driver Kasey Kahne are scheduled to announce plans for 2006 and beyond on Saturday morning at Indy.(Clear!Blue PR)(8-4-2005)
UPDATE: Team owner Ray Evernham is expected to announce Saturday that #9-Kasey Kahne has signed a five-year extension that will keep him with the team through 2010, reports say.(Speed Channel)(8-6-2005)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, announced a multi-year contract extension with Kasey Kahne as driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger. Kahne said: "I'm real excited to be able to do this, to be able to sign with Ray for a lot longer with Evernham Motorsports, all our sponsors and partners we already have with Dodge and Siemens and all the great sponsors we have we'll keep on being able to work with. Just to know I'm going to have the same race team with the same group of guys working on it. I pretty much know all the guys at the shop. I know everybody, but guys come in and out every once in awhile that you don't know. It's a big deal for myself. Ray is a great car owner. He taught me a lot. He wants to win races and the championship as bad as anybody in auto racing, and that's the kind of person I want to be with. I think it's a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to the future with Evernham Motorsports.(Clear!Channel PR)(8-7-2005)
- Rondeau finds a new home: Pete Rondeau has negotiated his release from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and joined Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91]. Rondeau started the season as #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief but was removed from that position after 11 points races. He joined Evernham on July 18 as director of research and development.(Sporting News)(8-1-2005)
- Court Dismisses All Claims by Ford against Kasey Kahne: On July 28, 2005, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan dismissed all claims by Ford Motor Company against NASCAR star Kasey Kahne, in connection with
Kahne's move last year from Ford to drive a Dodge in Nextel Cup, the most prominent NASCAR series. The Court found "that the Kahne-Ford personal services agreement is not enforceable..." and that Kahne had been free to switch to Dodge and Evernham Motorsports when Ford failed to provide a full time Nextel Cup car as requested by Kahne for the 2004 season. Pointing to admissions by Ford racing executives, Dan Davis and Greg Specht, the court found that the contract had "intentionally left
open for future joint agreement" the "essential" terms of the actual series and team that Kahne would join, and that this was fatal to Ford's claim.
Kahne stated: "I'm thrilled that this decision sets the record straight that my move to Evernham Motorsports and the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was in good faith and didn't breach my Ford contract. My manager, Rod Moskowitz of MMI and I didn't publicly respond to Ford's attempts to smear me during this case because we were confident I'd be vindicated in court. Now that we've won, I'm glad to put this unfortunate action behind me. Dan Davis told me that I wasn't ready to move to Cup, and Ford tried to hold me back. I think my performance proved them wrong." After leaving Ford, Kahne was named NASCAR's 2004 Rookie of the Year.
The decision came down after Kahne's attorneys, Paul LiCalsi and David Baum of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, moved to throw the lawsuit out on the basis of the documents in the case and the testimony given by Ford executives during depositions. "As we said at the onset, this case was nothing more than an expression of Ford's frustration with its own failure to recognize Kasey's ability to race at the highest level of the sport", LiCalsi said. Baum added, "For the last year and a half, Ford and its team of lawyers have tried to bully Kasey in court and demonized him in the press as someone who did not live up to his obligations. The
court's decision is a complete rebuke of Ford's tactics."(Clear!Blue PR)(7-28-2005)
- Kahne's attorneys ask judge to throw out Ford's suit: Attorneys for #9-Kasey Kahne asked a federal judge to throw out Ford's breach-of-contract lawsuit against the NASCAR driver, one of his lawyers said Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland in Detroit was to hear arguments on the request Wednesday, attorney David Baum said from New York. Ford sued Kahne in Wayne County Circuit Court in July 2004, the county where the Michigan automaker is headquartered. The company claimed he signed a contract that obligated him to drive Fords for Robert Yates Racing and appear in promotional activities. But in October 2003, the suit alleged, Kahne bolted Ford and joined a Dodge team owned by Ray Evernham. The lawsuit was transferred to federal court shortly after it was filed because the parties are from different states, Baum said. Kahne lives in Huntersville, N.C. Ford has called the suit "unfortunate," and said it believes in honoring contracts. NASCAR views its teams as independents and drivers as contracted workers hired by each team. Disputes are worked out among each other, with NASCAR having no influence in the results.(ESPN.com/AP)(7-19-2005)
- Kasey doing some more ads: Kasey Kahne, the driver of Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series, will be featured in two ad campaigns that the Allstate insurance company is preparing to launch, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports. The first ad is scheduled to air on TNT during Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway, and the second will start running during NBC's airing of the Aug. 7 Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Allstate isn't disclosing how much the campaigns cost or how much is being spent on placement of the ads, the story says.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-19-2005)
- Evernham Motorsports to make 2006 announcement on Friday, July 1st at Daytona International Speedway, announcing news for the 2006 season.(6-28-2005)
- New Assoc. sponsor for Evernham - Allstate: Allstate announced a multi-year deal with Evernham Motorsports. The associate sponsorship will make Allstate the official auto, home, life and supplemental insurance, motor club and retirement products sponsor of the race team. Earlier this year, Allstate signed a multi-year agreement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to become the title sponsor for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. As part of the sponsorship agreement, #9 driver and 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year Kasey Kahne, #19 driver Jeremy Mayfield and legendary driver Bill Elliott, along with Evernham Motorsports crew members, will display the Allstate logo on their race uniforms. Two new television ads currently in production will feature Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne in a race setting, yet with a humorous twist that challenges viewers to consider the unique circumstances in which they would need their insurance. One spot focuses on the new Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance. In addition to unique race-themed advertising, Allstate will launch a national consumer promotion beginning July 1, offering the chance to win a trip and tickets to this year's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and other prizes, including a meet and greet with Kasey Kahne and a ride in the official pace car. Committed to diversity and its growth in motorsports, Allstate will also work with members from Evernham Motorsports' driver development program, including Tommy Lane and Erin Crocker, on a broader diversity program with NASCAR. Lane, who is African-American, competes in the Late Model Stock Division at Hickory Motor Speedway, while Erin Crocker, the first female to join Evernham Motorsports, competes in the NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA Series. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate.(Clear!Blue PR)
AND Third Round of Exclusive eBay Auctions to Begin Thursday, June 30th, to benefit the Charity Chopper Fundraiser, helping to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This month's featured prize is an American Rodsmith, Evernham Signature Series bass fishing rod. The rod is autographed by Ray
Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, as well as Bill Elliott, driver of the #91 Stanley Tools Dodge Charger. For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org.(6-28-2005)
- #9 Front End Seized, Penalty on the way UPDATE 2: Speed Channel's Bob Dilner reported on Speed News NASCAR Edition that the #9-Kasey Kahne car had the front end confiscated by NASCAR for supposedly having an illegal spring loaded valance. Expect to hear some news on fines/penalties/points deduction by NASCAR, usually penalties are announced on Tuesdays.(6-20-2005)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials have confirmed the confiscation of an adjustable - and thus illegal - front air dam from Kasey Kahne’s #9 Dodge team during the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway race weekend. According to NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter, the illegal part was found during a pre-race inspection on Friday and never made it to the racetrack aboard the team Evernham entry. Still, the team is set to receive some kind of punishment for possession of a device deliberately designed to breach the rules. "A penalty will be forthcoming -- I don't know what,” Hunter told NASCAR’s official website. “The rulebook says it cannot be adjusted, so it did not conform to our rules."(Speed Channel)(6-21-2005)
UPDATE 2 [well...not much of one] no word yet on any penalties/fines for this infraction, expected the word Tuesday as is usaully the case.(6-22-2005)
FINE ANNOUNCED: Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, was fined $10,000 for an unapproved front air dam extension, a violation of Section 12-4-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (parts and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rulebook.(NASCAR PR)(6-22-2005)
- Evernham hopes to run full 3rd team in 2006: Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91] is close to getting the money needed for a third full-time entry in NASCAR's top series. The third full-time Nextel Cup entry would take over the #91 team that is now a part-time ride for Bill Elliott, team owner Ray Evernham said Friday. Elliott would not be the driver, but the NASCAR veteran, who cut back to a limited schedule in 2004, can remain affiliated with the program, the owner said. "I would love to run a third team," Evernham said. "We have the infrastructure in place. We've built the new building [in Statesville, N.C]. We have the people ready. We have the plan ready. But I'm not going to pull the trigger until I know the money's in place." Evernham said he hopes to have the finances for the third team in place by the end of July or August at the latest. Evernham's two main drivers are #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jeremy Mayfield. He also has ARCA driver Erin Crocker on a developmental team, and he's working on getting her a solid Busch Series program for next year. As for Elliott, who is racing at Michigan International Speedway this week, the former Cup champion has the choice of doing what he wants.(ESPN.com/AP)(6-18-2005)
- Mayfield and Kahne to test: #19-Jeremy Mayfield and #9-Kasey Kahne are scheduled to test at Carolina Motorsports Park, in Kershaw, S.C., next Thursday, June 16. The teams will use the test to prepare for the June 26 roadcourse race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.(Clear!Blue/Evernham PR)(6-8-2005)
- Mopar scheme for Kahne at LMS...in Oct: #9-Kasey Kahne is scheduled to run the blue and white Mopar scheme at Lowes Motor Speedway on October 15, 2005. See an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(5-26-2005)
- Dickerson resurfaces: Former Hendrick Motorsports chassis developer Eddie Dickerson (released back in February) is consulting for Evernham Motorsports #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Jeremy Mayfield.(Sporting News)(5-23-2005)
- Ford vs. Kahne: A case in U.S. District Court in Michigan provides an inside look at NASCAR contracts between teams and drivers. Ford has sued Kasey Kahne for breach of contract for leaving a Ford-backed team to drive Dodges for Evernham Motorsports in 2004. Kahne had a five-year contract with car owner Robert Yates and a supplemental contract with Ford before joining Evernham. Kahne's lawyers argue that Ford could not provide a suitable ride for him, allowing him to seek a ride elsewhere. Kahne's contract with Yates was submitted May 12 by Kahne's attorneys, who seek a summary judgment. The case is scheduled to go to trial in August. Kahne's contract with Yates shows it was signed Feb. 4, 2002, and was for the 2002-04 seasons. Yates' team had the option to extend the contract through 2006. According to the contract, Kahne was to be paid a $100,000 salary in 2002 while in the Busch series. His salary was to increase to $150,000 the next year and go to $225,000 in 2004. The contract states if Yates moved Kahne to Cup in 2004, Kahne's salary would be $700,000 for his rookie season. The salary was scheduled to increase to $850,000 the following year and go to $1 million in his third year in Cup. The contract stated Kahne would receive 35 percent of the race purse minus bonuses designated for the team. He would receive 50 percent of the race purse for a top-three finish. He would receive 35 percent of the season-ending money based on his placement in the driver standings. If he finished in the top three, he would receive 50 percent of the money. The final clause in the contract dealt with confidentiality. "All parties hereto acknowledge that the terms and contents of this agreement are confidential in nature and that neither will divulge any of the terms herein to anyone, except as may be required by law or for tax accounting or other reporting obligations."(News and Record)(5-22-2005)
- #9 Crew are NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Champions: The #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge pit crew of driver Kasey Kahne battled against the clock and 23 teams to earn the title as 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Champions at the inaugural event presented by Motorola Thursday at the Charlotte Coliseum. Racing against the clock in team and individual skills components, 24 teams battled through four rounds of competition with only one team remaining at the event’s conclusion to answer the question of who owns pit road. In the final round of competition, the # 9 team defeated the # 42 Texaco Havoline team of driver Jamie McMurray by 1.69 seconds to secure the championship. Kahne’s pit crew completed a four-tire pit stop in 16.14 seconds in the finals to the # 42 team’s 17.83-second stop.
“This event is what it’s all about,” said Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for the championship team. “To see all the smiles on their faces and to see how hard they work day in and day out – this is great. This gives them a chance to excel in the spotlight.” Under the leadership of Baldwin and hard driving by Kahne, the team secured its position in tonight’s inaugural pit crew showcase by winning at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway last Saturday night.
The team received $70,000 in cash, as well as special leather jackets and championship rings by Jostens, which produced rings for the 2005 Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots and the 2005 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. Seven individual champions were also crowned in their respective positions. Each winning crew member was awarded a fully stocked Craftsman toolbox, along with a $10,000 cash prize, a special leather jacket and a championship ring from Jostens. Gas man Rodney Rhodes and catch-can man Brent Wentz were crowned champions in their fueling discipline in addition to winning the team title.
“We’re a big bunch of friends,” Wentz said. “We have a lot of momentum on our side right now and we’ll take that into winning the $1 million (in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge) Saturday night.”
The NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge presented by Motorola was an added component to the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, one of the nation’s elite sporting events. The only event of its kind officially sanctioned by NASCAR, this contest pitted over-the-wall athletes against each other in seven head-to-head skills competitions designed to showcase the talents of NASCAR’s top crew members. Components of the competition included individual and team contests for tire changers, tire carriers, gas men, jack men and catch-can men, with competitors earning more than $250,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes. Eligible teams included those able to compete in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.
“It’s amazing to feel the adrenaline as these teams were competing throughout the events,” said Michael Robichaud, senior director of sports and entertainment marketing for Nextel. “We certainly congratulate all the winners of the first NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge and look forward to seeing them perform at each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event the remainder of the season.”
The individual skills stations were set up as pit boxes, each with a full size NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car. All team members began simultaneously at the sound of a starter’s tone and hit a stop button positioned on pit wall as they left their respective pit box, marking their individual split time.
Position: Name, Team, Time (seconds)
Front-tire change/carrierr: Mike Trower/Shane Cook, #10 Valvoline Chevy, 14.29
Rear-tire changer/carrier: Andy Brown/Donald Richardson, #2-Miller Lite Dodge, 14.72
Jack man: Kevin Pennell, #15 Napa Auto Parts 7.24
Gas man and Catch-Can man: Rodney Rhodes/Brent Wentz, #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, 14.50
Fans across the country can see the top teams in action during a special television presentation of the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge. The one-hour show will air on FX at 6 p.m., leading into the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday, May 21. MRN radio will also broadcast event highlights on May 21 at 6:00pm/et., see more on my Pit Crew News page, some results and images.(5-20-2005)
- Kahne tests at Richmond...in sprint car: Just five days after winning his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race, Kasey Kahne returned to Richmond International Raceway for an impromptu test session. Kahne, who owns a USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship Series team joined his driver, Erin Crocker for a few extra laps around the ľ-mile facility on Thursday, May 19. Kahne had planned to have Kraig Kinser, son of World of Outlaws star Steve Kinser, behind the wheel of his second car, however due to the young Kinser's aggressive World of Outlaws schedule and his position in the points standings [second], Kinser will not be in the car for next month's Richmond Times-Dispatch 100. So, Kahne returned to his roots and joined his USAC team to help them get a feel for the track and gather notes for when they return Saturday, June 25. Although Kahne will not be at the June race weekend and doesn't know yet who he will have running the second Silver Crown car, he hopes to have a second trophy from Richmond International Raceway to display on his mantel after one of his cars wins the Richmond Times-Dispatch 100 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Championship Series race.(RIR)(5-20-2005)
- Kahne FINALLY Wins: #9-Kasey Kahne won the Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway for his first ever Nextel Cup win in his 47th race, after finishing 2nd six times. Kahne is the 167th driver to score a Nextel Cup win. The win puts Kahne into the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway next Saturday. Kahne led the most laps with 242 and beat #20-Tony Stewart, who finished 2nd, and made a classy move on pit road, walking out to talk and congratulate Kahne. The rest of the top-five: #12-Ryan Newman, #5-Kyle Busch and #29-Kevin Harvick. Kahne's win is the first for the Dodge Charger since Nov. 20, 1977, at [now defunct] Ontario Motor Speedway, Neil Bonnett was the driver, it is the 125th win for the Dodge Charger. It is Dodge's first win of 2005. Points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson wrecked early and finished 40th, his large points lead is now down to 41 over #16-Greg Biffle. #24-Jeff Gordon had troubles and DNF's, finishing 39th.
For my race rundown, narrative, cautions, lucky dogs, lap leaders, see Richmond Race Info/Rundown Page
For race results/results links, see Jayski's Richmond Race Results/Awards page.(5-14-2005)
- Top Banana and Go ManGo! Chargers Unveiled AND: As part of its introduction of the new limited production 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, Dodge unveiled two new Bud Shootout paint schemes on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Chargers, celebrating the modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car. Jeremy Mayfield will pilot the #19 Top Banana Dodge Charger, and Kasey Kahne will drive the #9 Go ManGo! Dodge Charger in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. The paint schemes are replica versions of the two classic 1960s color schemes available on the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T production vehicles available starting this summer.(Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #19 Team Schemes page and #9 Team Schemes page.(2-12-2005)
AND these schemes are also running in the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway this weekend.(5-7-2005)
- Kahne to run the Longest Yard scheme: In this spring's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, Kasey Kahne will sport some additional firepower on his #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger - that of Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds, stars of the new Paramount Pictures comedy "The Longest Yard," which opens nationally on Memorial Day Weekend.
Kahne, a fan of Sandler classics such as "Happy Gilmore" and "The Wedding Singer," will carry the star's latest movie on the hood of his Dodge Charger to promote the comedy, which will be released nationally on Memorial Day. The #9 Dodge will feature a distinctive black and yellow paint scheme with footballs and prison cell bars. Sandler also will serve as the grand marshal of the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Diecast models of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW "Longest Yard" Dodge Charger will be available late this summer.(ClearBlue), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(4-23-2005)
- 2nd Place before a win...record? at least 3 longer then Kahne: not really sure of the record, but with #9-Kasey Kahne getting his 6th 2nd place finish and not yet winning a Cup Series race, been asked if another driver had finished with more 2nd place finishes before winning their first race.
After a little research and race coverage, five drivers have had more 2nd's before a win:
James Hylton had 12, won in his 187th race, at Richmond in 1970
Harry Gant had 10, won in his 107th race, at Martinsville in 1982
Sterling Marlin had 9, won in his 248th race, at Daytona in 1994
ironically, Bill Elliott had 8, won in his 116th race, at Riverside [CA] in 1983.
Lennie Pond, had 7, won in his 130th race, at Talladega in 1978.
Kahne has six 2nd place finishes in 42 races.(NASCAR Encyclopedia and Forty Years of Stock Car Racing)(4-16/17-2005)
- #9 to Outfit Special 'Reverse' Paint Scheme of Kahne's Signature Dodge Pit Cap: While Kasey Kahne turned out a
season for the record books in 2004, NASCAR fans turned out in record numbers donning Kahne's signature Dodge pit cap at racetracks across the country. As a thank-you for the sea of red Dodge pit caps seen in the grandstands each weekend, Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger will sport a 'reverse' paint scheme of the fan-favorite hat style. The special paint scheme, which will debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2005 Brickyard 400, represents a unique twist on the style of Kahne's well-known red hat. For the first time, Kahne's #9 Dodge Charger will feature a predominantly white design with two red racing stripes across the entire length of the car top - a 'reverse' color design based upon the popular hat and the replica race car scheme that Kahne debuted in the 2004 Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.(Clear!Blue), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2005)
- McDonald's to sponsor Elliott UPDATE and Evernham too: hearing that McDonald's will sponsor the #91 [#98?] Dodge and Bill Elliott at Michigan in June and California in September.(3-17-2005)
UPDATE: McDonald's announced the company has entered into a partnership agreement with Evernham Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The agreement calls for McDonald's to be an associate sponsor on the #9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger driven by 2004 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne and the #91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge Charger that will be driven by [1988] NASCAR champion Bill Elliott at selected Nextel Cup events. The agreement includes a two-race McDonald's primary sponsorship on Elliott's car. The Bill Elliott Racing entry will carry the McDonald's paint scheme at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn (June 19) and California Speedway in Fontana (Sept. 5). Kahne, 24, said that he welcomes the new partnership and is looking forward to being affiliated with McDonald's. McDonald's motorsports programs also include primary sponsorships in the Champ Car World Series with the Newman/Haas team and driver Sebastian Bourdais and in the NASCAR Busch Series with Team Rensi Motorsports and [#35] driver Jason Keller. More info on McDonalds, see www.mcdonalds.com.(McDonald's Racing)(3-28-2005)
- Kahne Scheme: #9-Kasey Kahne will make a return in his popular "Pit Cap" paint scheme at Indianapolis in August. This season the car will feature a reverse paint scheme that will take after the car he debuted at Darlington in 2004.(RacingOne)(2-21-2005)
- New Season of 'NASCAR DRIVERS: 360' return: The FX network has placed a second season order of seven episodes for "NASCAR Drivers: 360." The show, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday lives of NASCAR drivers, premieres May 13 at 10:30 ET. Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Kenny Wallace, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace will be featured during the seven-week run.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-18-2005)
- Kahne to run the Mountain Dew scheme again: #9-Kasey Kahne will take his partnership with Mountain Dew to new heights this season when his first national television commercial for the brand debuts this Sunday and his #9 Dodge features a Mountain Dew paint scheme at next week's race at California Speedway. In the TV spot entitled "Change," not only does Kahne's Dodge go through a number of "changes," but he must also vie for the seat behind the wheel of his own race car. The commercial will air during the FOX broadcast of the Daytona 500 this Sunday, February 20. Kahne's Dew allegiance will also show on the track when he competes in a Mountain Dew paint scheme at the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Sunday, February 27. Kahne's #9 Dodge will showcase the new Mountain Dew graphics that will begin appearing on the brand's product packaging available in stores in March. The last time Kahne's car featured a special Mountain Dew paint scheme he finished second at Michigan International Speedway on June 20, 2004. This marks the fifth straight year that Mountain Dew has sponsored Evernham Motorsports drivers and teams. Pepsi-Cola Company's involvement with NASCAR began when the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, July 2, 2005.(Pepsi Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(2-16-2005)
- Top Banana and Go ManGo! Chargers Unveiled: As part of its introduction of the new limited production 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, Dodge unveiled two new Bud Shootout paint schemes on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Chargers, celebrating the modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car. Jeremy Mayfield will pilot the #19 Top Banana Dodge Charger, and Kasey Kahne will drive the #9 Go ManGo! Dodge Charger in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. The paint schemes are replica versions of the two classic 1960s color schemes available on the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T production vehicles available starting this summer.(Clear!Blue PR), see images on my #19 Team Schemes page and #9 Team Schemes page.(2-12-2005)
- Evernham to design and manufacturer racing parts: The Evernham Group has made its first venture outside the United States with Evernham Advanced Engine Technology, a company based in Northampton, England. It will design and manufacture racing parts for NASCAR and other series and will be headed by Mark McArdle, a veteran engine builder with a long background in Indy Car racing prior to moving to the stock-car ranks.(Speed Channel's Media Tour Notes)(1-26-2005)
- More on the Goodyear tire test at Atlanta: Goodyear Tire testing continued Wednesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway as Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson ran an array of tire compounds in preparation for the March 18-20 Golden Corral 500. Mark Keto, lead engineer for Goodyear's stock car tire development group, said the second day of testing really helped to narrow the field of potential tire compounds for the upcoming Atlanta race weekend. "Today went really well," Keto said, "There are four new tires we've
been working with, plus several from yesterday that are giving the drivers some extra grip and confidence." Engineers also found that even with the new NASCAR rule changes, such as the reduced spoiler height, Kahne and Johnson were running speeds comparable to last fall's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. Goodyear Tire experts will analyze data from the two-day test before finalizing which compound drivers will run during the Golden Corral 500.(AMS PR)(1-15-2005)
- Baldwin looking for safer racing: Tommy Baldwin wants to make short-track racing safer. Baldwin, an accomplished crew chief on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, wants to promote an awareness of safety issues at the short tracks - and lessen the possibility of an accident like the one that claimed the life of his father, Tom Baldwin Sr., during a modified tour event last August. "If a race driver comes to a track and does not like the conditions, he should just walk away," he said. Baldwin, crew chief on the No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, will be at this weekend's Motorsports 2005 [more info click here] show at the Fort Washington Expo Center. On Saturday afternoon, Baldwin plans to deliver his message to short-track racers, promoters and officials during a one-hour seminar. Two-time Busch Series champion driver Randy LaJoie, who fashions custom seats for drivers, and John Downing, creator of the Head and Neck Restraint System (HANS), will also be on hand for the seminar, titled "Helping to Save Lives." The elder Baldwin was killed on Aug. 19 when his race car hit a concrete block at the foot of a light tower after spinning out of a multicar crash at Thompson Speedway in Thompson, Conn., according to a report in the Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. "We want to make the local short-track racing industry aware that what happened to my dad can happen to them," Tommy Baldwin said. "What can car builders do? What can racers do? What can promoters do? What can we all do to make the sport safer? The seminar will answer those questions." Baldwin and LaJoie will also take part in autograph sessions, which are free with the purchase of an admission ticket. The three-day extravaganza opens at 1 p.m. on Friday [Jan 14-Jan 16 and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m.(Philadelphia Inquirer)(1-14-2005)
- Tire Testing at Atlanta Jan 11-12th: A Goodyear Tire test is scheduled for January 11-12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 2004 Rookie of the Year #9-Kasey Kahne and #48-Jimmie Johnson will test the brand new Goodyear compound at NASCAR's fastest track next week as they prepare for the March 18-20 Golden Corral 500 weekend. The test session will be closed to both the media and the public. The test will be the first with the new Atlanta Goodyear tire, which is a different compound than any for any other speedway. Mark Keto, lead engineer for Goodyear's stock car tire development group, said the session will be used to gauge how well the new compound works with the 2005 NASCAR rule changes, such as the reduced spoiler height. NASCAR officials are expected to be on hand to analyze the results. Additional NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series teams are scheduled to test throughout February and March for the spring race weekend. For more information on the Golden Corral 500 weekend, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.(AMS PR)(1-9-2005)
2004 News
- Kahne to be featured in seatbelt commercials: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Nextel Communications Inc. , the title sponsor of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, announced a statewide campaign to promote safe driving, including the dangers of drinking and driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, as well as the importance of wearing seatbelts. Central to the campaign are television commercials, which feature Washington native Kasey Kahne, NASCAR's Rookie of the Year for 2004. WSP and Nextel unveiled the commercials Tuesday at the Washington Motorsports Racing Celebration of Champions in Everett, Wash.(Auto Channel)(12-29-2004)
- Evernham signs Crocker to development deal: Evernham Motorsports announced that it has signed sprint-car star Erin Crocker to a development deal that will allow the hottest young female driver in racing to compete next year in the Silver Crown, ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series. Crocker, the first female to win a World of Outlaws race, caught the attention of Ray Evernham and Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year Kasey Kahne for her performance in open wheel racing. Evernham Motorsports partnered with Kasey Kahne Motorsports and has signed Crocker to an agreement that involves her running the Silver Crown Series in a Kasey Kahne Motorsports car, along with three Busch races and three ARCA races in an Evernham Dodge. Sponsors for the program have not yet been announced. “This is like a dream come true,” said Erin Crocker. “When Ray Evernham called, I was considering several options. But once that phone rang, my mind was made up. It is an unbelievable opportunity to race for him – if you consider what he done with other rookies such as Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. This is a chance for me to learn as much as I can, in several different types of cars, from the best in the business. I get to race with a team that focuses on innovation and inspiration, and drive for a leader who puts teamwork, engineering and technology first. It’s absolutely incredible.” Crocker has already moved to Charlotte, N.C. to prepare for her intensive training program. When not racing, Crocker likes to participate in outdoor sports, shop and spend time with her friends and family.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(12-8-2004)
- Kasey Kahne signs with Avon: Avon Products announced that it has signed Kasey Kahne, to a promotional agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed. Kahne, 24, drives the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge for Evernham Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He was the 2004 Raybestos Rookie of the Year and finished 13th in the season points standings. Under the agreement, Kasey Kahne will serve as the spokesperson for Avon’s Pro Sport Daily Performance product line. In the second quarter of 2005, Kasey Kahne will be featured on the front cover of M – The Men’s Catalog, and will also be featured in public relations and the Internet. M – The Men’s Catalog launched October 2004 and offered 16-pages of men’s grooming products and accessories. This new, highly stylized catalog will be distributed quarterly, and affiliated with a variety of universally accepted men’s brands. “Avon is a great brand – everyone knows them as a leader in the beauty products and grooming industry,” says Kasey Kahne. “I’m honored to have been selected as the spokesperson for the ProSport Daily Performance line and excited to be a part of the Avon family.” Avon product lines include such recognizable brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness. Avon also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry and apparel.(Evernham Motorsports site)(12-5-2004)
- Slugger leaves DEI UPDATE: Richard "Slugger" Labbe -- who served as #15-Michael Waltrip's crew chief earlier this season and also worked with Earnhardt Jr. Truex's teams, has left DEI and joined Evernham Motorsports. Evernham officials confirmed Labbe has been named director of speedway development, over Evernham's #9 and #19 Dodges, driven by Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield, respectively.(ThatsRacin.com)(12-1-2004)
UPDATE: Richard "Slugger" Labbe, former crew chief for Michael Waltrip at DEI, has been hired to oversee Evernham Motorsports' speedway development program for drivers Kasey Kahne's and Jeremy Mayfield's restrictor-plate efforts. Labbe has already started work in Evernham's Statesville, N.C., shop in preparation for the 2005 season, which opens with the Daytona 500 -- a restrictor-plate race.(NASCAR.com)(12-4-2004)
- Kahne going for a tie of the record UPDATE nope: with 1 race left, #9-Kasey Kahne is chasing NASCAR's modern-era [1972-present] record for top-five finishes by a rookie driver. Kahne is one of only six drivers to have scored 10 or more top-five finishes this season.
Most top fives by a Cup series rookie (1972-2004)
14 by Ryan Newman in 2002, 36 races [38%]
13 by Kasey Kahne in 2004, 36 races [36%]
12 by Tony Stewart in 1999, 34 races [35%]
11 by Dale Earnhardt in 1979, ran 27 of 31 races [41%]
9 by Davey Allison in 1987, 22 of 29 races [41%](11-18-2004)
UPDATE: it didn't happen as Kahne finished 38th.(11-21-2004)
- Evernham Motorsports wins the championship: Evernham Motorsports won the Inaugural Totally Racin' Flag Football League Championship, beating Roush Racing 40-35. Totally Racin' Softball and Flag Football League founder/coordinator Bob Hubner is now looking to start a Totally Racin' Basketball League in January 2005 for NASCAR Teams in the Mooresville/Charlotte, NC area. More info at racecityresumes.com.(11-18-2004)
- Kahne back to run the #2 Truck: Nextel Cup rookie Kasey Kahne will make another start in the #2 Ultra Motorsports Dodge in Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kahne won Saturday's truck race at Darlington Raceway in his first-ever start in the Truck Series.(Las Vegas Sun)(11-17-2004)
- NASCAR to investigate Harvick-Kahne clash UPDATE: NASCAR officials said they will investigate an incident between drivers #29-Kevin Harvick and #9-Kasey Kahne to determine if disciplinary action is needed. Kahne tried to pass Harvick on the last lap Sunday as the two cars bumped. When the race ended, Harvick pulled in front of Kahne's car and blocked it before walking over to confront Kahne. Harvick, though, was restrained by crew members. "Kahne started running into me after a caution, so I wanted to stop and ask him what the problem was," Harvick said. "Before that, I got to him a little bit, so I guess he was ticked off. But we were just racing hard."(Dallas Morning News)(11-8-2004)
UPDATE: Drivers Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne were fined $10,000 each and placed on probation for their actions during an on-track incident that occurred after the conclusion of Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR officials announced today. Harvick, driver of the# 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, and Kahne, driver of the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports, were penalized for violating Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book when the two made deliberate contact with each other following the conclusion of the race. Both drivers’ probation periods will extend to Nov. 30.(NASCAR PR)(11-10-2004)
- Kahne going for the record: with 3 races left, #9-Kasey Kahne is chasing NASCAR's modern-era record for top-five
finishes by a rookie driver. Kahne is one of only five drivers to have scored 10 or more top-five finishes this season.
Most top fives by a Cup series rookie (1972-2004)
14 by Ryan Newman in 2002, 36 races [38%]
12 by Tony Stewart in 1999, 34 races [35%]
11 by Dale Earnhardt in 1979, ran 27 of 31 races [41%]
11 by Kasey Kahne in 2004 after 33 races [33%]
9 by Davey Allison in 1987, 22 of 29 races [41%](11-2-2004)
- Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper to sponsor Evernham Motorsports: In their continued quest for high performance, aftermarket auto parts giant Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper has inked its first NASCAR deal as associate sponsor of Evernham Motorsports and includes primary status on the #91 Dodge in the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and on the #79 Dodge in the NASCAR Busch Series. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper is the first aftermarket auto parts distribution network to partner with Evernham Motorsports. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s partnership with Evernham Motorsports is a multi-faceted marketing program. The automotive aftermarket brands take the lead with the primary sponsorship of the #91 Dodge in 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup races at Michigan International Speedway on August 25, 2005, and Texas Motor Speedway International on November 6, 2005. Veteran racer and former NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Bill Elliott will drive the #91 Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Dodge. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper will be an associate sponsor of the #91 Dodge for all other races in 2005 and will receive branding on Elliott’s uniform, team haulers and pit equipment. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s partnership with Evernham Motorsports also includes primary sponsorship of the #79 Dodge. In the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series, Kasey Kahne will drive the #79 Dodge at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 16, 2005 and teammate and NEXTEL Chase contender, Jeremy Mayfield, will take the wheel at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 14, 2005. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s association with Evernham also will be used in key customer outreach efforts, retail marketing efforts and internal promotions. The affiliation will compliment Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s existing partnership with NASCAR and its new NASCAR Performance Network program, a branding and locator platform associating Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper’s parts stores or service centers with NASCAR’s 75 million fans.(Clear!Blue PR)(11-2-2004)
- Evernham Tribute UPDATE / IMAGE: Hearing that in remembrance and tribute to Hendrick family and Motorsports, all Evernham Motorsports cars will run the remaining races of the year with black numbers, including this weekend's special Mad Magazine schemes.(10-27-2004)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports Dodges driven by Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne will carry black numbers #19 and #9, respectively, the remainder of the season in memory of the victims in the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash last Sunday. Also, the tail number of the plane, 501RH, will be in front of the rear wheel well on the Evernham Motorsports Dodges.(Clear!Blue PR)(10-29-2004)
IMAGE see an image of the car with the black number #9 and the plane number [circled in the image] on my #9 Team Paint Schemes page.(10-31-2004)
- Mopar Scheme at Lowe's for Kahne: This October, at the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the Mopar logo will adorn a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series entry for the first time in the brand's history. During the event, the familiar #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne will boast a new hue that features the blue, black, and silver colors representative of Mopar. This momentous occasion in Mopar's history is one that signifies Mopar's dedication to the sport of racing. "We are proud to have Kasey Kahne carry the Mopar logo for the UAW-GM 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway," said Kevin Miller, Senior Brand, Performance Parts Portfolio and Brand Strategy for Mopar. "The race drivers who compete under the Mopar banner are among the best in the business, and Kasey Kahne is indicative of what the Mopar brand stands for. Having the Mopar logo showcased in a premier event such as the UAW-GM 500 represents what Mopar's racing endeavors encompass - the longevity and staying power of the sport." The Mopar "bling-bling" paint scheme that Kahne will carry was designed by Competition Graphics of Farmington Hills, Mich. Featuring the Mopar "M" logo, as well as the barbed wire paint scheme utilized by Team Mopar throughout the 2004 season, Kahne's car will carry on the brand's unique and authentic motorsports influence. Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.(Kasey Kahne site)(10-4-2004)
- Last Week for Summer Sales Driver Scheme: The #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge's will run its "Dodge Summer
Sales Drive" paint scheme for the final week in Bristol. #9-Kasey Kahne's and #!9-Jeremy Mayfield's Dodge's has run this paint scheme since racing at Chicago in July.(ClearBlue PR)(8-25-2004)
- Dew Crew Roster Change: Nick O'Dell has replaced Jim Pohlman as front tire changer for the #9 Dew Crew. O'Dell worked as the front tire changer on the #91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge team earlier this year. O'Dell also served as front tire changer for the #9 Dew Crew at Michigan and Watkins Glen. Jim Pohlman remains lead mechanic on the team.(ClearBlue PR)(8-25-2004)
- NASCAR community shows support for Baldwin: In light of the passing last week of Tom Baldwin Sr., many of those in the racing community who were close to Tom flew to New York on Monday night to pay their respects. Car owner Ray Evernham provided one of his planes and joined Mike Joy, Matt Yocum, Pat and Jimmy Spencer, Mike Calinoff, Kasey Kahne and Dodge executives for the viewing on Long Island. Over 1000 people were in attendance.(8-24-2004)
- Baldwin wins Wiper Award: Internet voters have selected Tommy Baldwin Jr. as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Kasey Kahne brought Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge home fifth in Sunday's GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Baldwin collected his third win of the season in the voting after he guided Kahne home after his father, Tom Baldwin Sr., died in a NASCAR Modified race Thursday night. Tony Eury Sr., crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 Chevrolet, continues to lead the competition for the $10,000 prize that will be given to the crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the year..(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-24-2004)
- Tommy Badwin's Father Passes Away after Racing Accident: NASCAR Modified racer Tom Baldwin Sr., father to Nextel Cup Series [#9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne] crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., passed away as a result of an accident in Thursday night's NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race at Thompson Motor Speedway (CT). Following the accident, the race was called while Connecticut State Police investigated the accident site. Baldwin had to be cut from the car and was taken to the Hubbard Regional Hospital, in Webster, MA.(Speed51.com), Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.
From NASCAR.com: Baldwin's plans for MIS weekend unclear.(8-20-2004)
Tommy Baldwin Jr. remained at the Michigan track Friday, working with Kahne's team. "I've got an airplane standing by," car owner Ray Evernham said. "I'm going to leave it totally up to him if he feels comfortable here working and doesn't want to be sitting alone somewhere." Evernham and team competition director Sammy Johns will be at the track this weekend to help with Kahne's team.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Lucia & Orlando Funeral Home in Patchogue, N.Y. The funeral will be there at 10 a.m. Wednesday.(8-21-2004)
From a Dodge /Clearblue PR - Question to Tommy Baldwin Jr.:
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ASK OF THE FANS?
"We appreciate all the support. In lieu of all the donations and flowers, if they could just put it in my father's memory and send it to the Victory Junction Gang and let those kids enjoy their lives. My dad enjoyed his life thoroughly. Those kids, going to that camp through the week and having a blast, maybe my dad with this tragedy can touch some more hearts."(8-21-2004)
- Special Paint for Kahne at Darlington: Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will sport a paint scheme to match Signature Red Hat in the last Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in November. Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will become a replica of the hat that has become a necessity for every Kasey Kahne fan. It will be painted red with white stripes down the length of the car and will have the Dodge logo on the hood. The new paint scheme will debut in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Nov. 14. Kahne's signature pit cap ranked fifth in sales on the NASCAR circuit from January through June, with approximately 6,000 units sold.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(8-4-2004)
- Kahne offers apology to Busch: #9-Kasey Kahne said he thought #97-Kurt Busch had made contact with #20-Tony Stewart's car to begin a crash on Lap 108 that doomed Stewart to a 35th-place finish and also led to damage on Kahne's Dodge when Stewart bounced off the wall in front of the #9 Dodge. Kahne admitted to hitting Busch's car under caution right after that. "A few laps before he (Busch) ran into my door pretty good, and then that happened with Tony," Kahne said. "I thought he ran into Tony and our race was over. I definitely need to apologize to Kurt. There was no need for that. I was just frustrated at the time. I need to control myself."(ThatsRacin.com)(8-2-2004)
- Stewart Welcomes 3-car Team; Talks to Kahne also: #20-Tony Stewart is not concerned about dwindling resources at Joe Gibbs Racing if the team adds a third Nextel Cup team for the 2005 season. The team currently fields a pair of Chevrolets for Bobby Labonte and Stewart. “You don’t have to have three times the equipment,” Stewart said. “A lot of times you can utilize the same resources and not necessarily have to have so many extras. If you have adequate resources to start with I think it helps. If you’re a team that doesn’t have enough funding to begin with it can be a distraction and take away from the effort.” Regarding the addition of a driver, Stewart doesn’t have a preference between a veteran and a rookie. “There’s pros and cons to having a veteran, and there’s pros and cons to having a rookie. It could really go either way. You could have a rookie and do just fine or you could have a veteran and do just fine.” The 2002 series champion also says that he had a phone conversation with Kasey Kahne today, discussed their Ju! ly 11 coming together at Chicagoland Speedway and that “there’s no problems between Kasey and I. It was a very productive phone call.”(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-27-2004)
- Kahne and Crew OK after wreck: A van carrying six members of Kasey Kahne's crew was hit from behind Sunday morning on the way to New Hampshire International Speedway. The van was stopped in traffic when it was rear-ended and knocked into another car. The only reported injury was to Jeff Seaburg, driver of the team's transport truck, who was sitting in the back of the van. Seaburg was treated at a Concord hospital for a strained back and released. He got to the track in time for the start of the race, but team officials decided Seaburg would use someone else to drive the transporter back to the team's shop in Statesville, N.C.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(7-26-2004)
- #9 and #19 Schemes for the Summer: the #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will continue to run its new paint scheme this weekend in New Hampshire. The new scheme will run through the August 28th race in Bristol in support of Dodge's
Summer Sales Drive.(Clear!Blue PR)(7-20-2004)
- Ford sues Kahne UPDATE: NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne is being sued by Ford Motor Co. in Wayne County Circuit Court for allegedly breaking a contract with Robert Yates Racing to pursue a more lucrative deal to drive Dodge race cars. Kahne, 24, is the top rookie on the Nextel Cup circuit. He is 14th in the points standings after 18 races and has five top-five finishes. Ford has not yet said how much it would seek in damages, but according to a summons filed in court Friday, the breach of contract is more than $25,000. According to the lawsuit, Ford and Yates signed a contract with Kahne that required him to drive Ford cars for the team and appear in promotional activities. But last October, according to documents filed in court by the plaintiff, Kahne dropped Ford and started driving Dodges for a team owned by Ray Evernham. Kahne took over the #9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports after Bill Elliott decided to run a limited schedule this season. Kahne's lawyer, Harvey Heller, said Monday that as a policy the firm did not comment on cases involving its clients but said an answer to the charge will be filed in court later this week.(Detroit Free Press)(7-13-2004)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne's lawyer fired back Thursday at Ford Motor Co., saying the NASCAR driver's former sponsor breached the personal services agreement it made with Kahne, which gave the top-ranked rookie in the Nextel Cup circuit every right to drive for someone else. Ford filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court last Friday that said Kahne broke a contract with the company and Robert Yates Racing by agreeing to drive Dodges for Ray Evernham Motorsports. In documents filed in federal court Thursday, Kahne's lawyers argued that the personal services agreement was not an enforceable contract and that Ford didn't offer Kahne a chance to race in the Nextel series, which released Kahne of his obligations to the company. "What's happened here is Kasey has had an extraordinary rookie season at Nextel,"' said Kahne's lawyer, Paul LiCalsi, who spoke to reporters in a conference call. "Ford is embarrassed. When Ford could not agree with Kasey because they were either unable to or didn't have the vision to agree to put him in a Nextel car, he had no obligation to them."(Detroit Free Press)(7-16-2004)
- Baldwin Fined: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup crew chief Tommy Baldwin was fined $10,000 for an incident that occurred
this past weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Baldwin, the crew chief for the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge of Kasey Kahne, was fined $5,000 for violating Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). That penalty was assessed for being involved in an altercation in another Competitor’s pit area. Baldwin also was fined $5,000 for violating Section 9-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book (The crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his/her driver, car owner and team members), and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2004. The incident occurred during Sunday’s Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland.(NASCAR PR)(7-13-2004)
AND Evernham Statement: Responding to the penalties imposed by NASCAR today, Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, issued the following statement: "NASCAR has made its decision; now it's time to move on," Evernham said. "I understand why Tommy (Baldwin, crew chief for the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) and the team reacted the way they did in the heat of competition. NASCAR has rules. I agree with rules. Evernham Motorsports also has rules. NASCAR has made its decision and imposed its penalties. Now, I will impose the appropriate penalties for Evernham Motorsports. This is behind us now. As a team, our focus is on the upcoming events and the future."(Clear!Blue PR)(7-14-2004)
- NASCAR....Stewart/Kahne = racing incident: NASCAR spokesman Herb Branham said officials considered the #20-Tony Stewart / #9-Kasey Kahne accident a "racing incident and nothing more," and if a penalty was required, it would have been assessed during the race. Branham said that NASCAR was reviewing the pit-road brawl. "If any penalties results, they will be announced later this week."(many sources)(7-12-2004)
- Kahne's Ford Contract Revealed: A lawsuit filed June 16 by Ford against Nextel Cup driver Kasey Kahne in district court in Michigan provides insight into the Ford/Kahne contract dispute that began when Kahne joined Ray Evernham’s Dodge team for the 2004 Cup season. The contract, which is at the center of the dispute, doesn’t provide any clear answers, however, according to a story in NASCAR Scene. According to the story, Ford was under no obligation to put Kahne in a Cup car for 2004, but Kahne had refusal rights regarding rides set up for him by Ford. In the suit, Ford contends that it “expended substantial financial and other resources to enhance defendant Kahne’s competitiveness and marketability” without reaping any benefits. The contract, signed in 2002, stipulates that Ford would pay Kahne a $30,000 signing bonus and $200,000 annually for being a Ford driver. He was also required to do 12 appearances a year for the automaker. Kahne contends that he has fulfilled his contractual obligations, and he has not filed a response to the suit in court.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-2-2004)
- 2nd's for Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne has four second-place finishes in 2004, what is the record? 12, done by Bobby Allison in the 1972 season.(Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup TV show)(6-22-2004)
AND Rookie -of-the-Year contender Kasey Kahne has scored four second-place finishes in 2004. The last time a driver scored more than four second-place finishes in their rookie season occurred in 2002 when Ryan Newman scored a record setting five second-place finishes. Newman also scored his first career victory that season winning at Loudon in September 2002. James Hylton is the only other driver to score four second-place finishes in his rookie season in 1966.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-23-2004)
- Ford taking legal action against Kahne? UPDATE: Word from Ford sources that Ford Motor Company is reportedly taking legal action against Dodge sensation #9-Kasey Kahne over its contract with Kahne. Kahne, the sport's hottest rookie, deferred to his agents, Rod Moskowitz and Cary Agajanian. Moskowitz: "We have no comment at this time. Kasey said earlier this year that he has fulfilled all his obligations to Ford, and our position remains the same." Ford gave Kahne a major break by putting together a Busch package with Robert Yates. That Ford contract contained a clause that allowed Ford, if Kahne were offered a Cup deal by a rival car maker, to keep Kahne if Ford could match that deal with a ride of similar capability. When Dodge's Ray Evernham offered Kahne the ride Bill Elliott was winning in last fall, Ford appeared unable to match it. Or at least that's the way the situation was explained at Daytona earlier this year. It's unclear what Ford's actions might mean, what situation Dodge and Evernham might now be in, and what might happen next.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-19-2004)
UPDATE: The latest on Ford's legal action against Kasey Kahne: Kahne was served with papers when he landed here Thursday, informing him of the suit over breach of contract. Ford apparently only wants to recoup some of its investment in Kahne, 24, not to park him or put him back in a Ford. Part of Kahne's decision to leave Ford for Dodge and car owner Ray Evernham followed Robert Yates' decision not to expand to a third Cup team for Kahne, who was driving a Busch car for Yates. The turning point, one source said, could have come last September when Yates put Jason Jarrett in a third Cup car at Talladega instead of Kahne.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-20-2004)
- Mountain Dew back on the #9 and #19 - #9 at MIS: Evernham Motorsports teammates Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne showed their alliance to the "Dew Crew" today when they unveiled their Mountain Dew Dodge paint-outs plastered with the team green at the Michigan International Speedway. "Fueled by Dew," Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will feature a Mountain Dew paint scheme when he competes in the DHL 400 this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Mayfield will race in his Mountain Dew-themed #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge at the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on November 14. Mountain Dew is sponsoring Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield throughout the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Both drivers are making appearances for Mountain Dew during the season and they are featured on in-store display materials. In addition, Mountain Dew sponsors the over-the-wall pit crews for Kahne and Mayfield. Their teams are known as the "Dew Crew."
"The association between Mountain Dew and Evernham Motorsports is such a big part of our race team and I've enjoyed working with them," said Mayfield who is in his third season as a driver for Evernham Motorsports. "Everything they do is so much fun to be a part of. I'm excited about the Dew paint scheme I'll be running at Darlington and look forward to making the other drivers green with envy."
"This is my first year being associated with Mountain Dew, it's been fun so far," said rookie driver Kasey Kahne. "Everyone on the team has been great to work with and each week I meet new people who are part of the Mountain Dew team. I love Mountain Dew, so working with them comes naturally. Running the Dew car at Michigan this weekend is something I'm looking forward to. It's always fun to drive a car with different paint on it. It gets the fans' attention and if you do well it helps the sponsors." This marks the fourth year that Mountain Dew has sponsored Evernham Motorsports. Pepsi-Cola North America, the makers of Mountain Dew, has been involved with NASCAR since the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of NASCAR Nextel Cup races in Daytona, Fla. (Pepsi 400), and Darlington, S.C. (Mountain Dew Southern 500).(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR), see images of the cars on my #9 Team Paint Schemes and #19 Team Paint Schemes pages.(6-18-2004)
- Kahne is Hot: This week People Magazine picks, for the fifth year, "The 50 Hottest Bachelors" in a special double issue. From a pro tennis player (Andy Roddick), to a NASCAR driver (Kasey Kahne) and an astronaut (Benjamin Alvin Drew), there's someone for everyone. This year PEOPLE has chosen actor Orlando Bloom as Bachelor #1. #9-Kasey Kahne was chosen in the "At the To of the Game" Section.(Clear!Blue PR)(6-17-2004)
- No one in the garage believes NASCAR? Kahne too low? Yesterday's problems [at Pocono] were yet another chapter in one of the biggest stories of the season - NASCAR's dwindling credibility and numerous faux pas. One team owner, who declined to be named, shook his head and said: "I've been in this sport 30 years, and NASCAR's credibility in the garage is at an all-time low. Nobody believes them anymore." Among questions raised here: Was Kasey Kahne's car too low after winning Friday's pole and did NASCAR ignore it, as several rivals complained? Was Michael Waltrip's Talladega car too low and did NASCAR ignore that, as rivals too complain? The lower the nose, the faster the car. Car owner Ray Evernham denied that Kahne's car was too low: "Nothing was brought to my attention about our car being low, so I would say that's probably fake".(read more at the Winston Salem Journal)(6-14-2004)
- Evernham may get into the engine business: Evernham Motorsports [#9,#19,#91] owner Ray Evernham said he is looking to expand his engine program and has had preliminary talks with several NASCAR teams. Although the most likely case would be to start building engines for a new team in 2005, Evernham said he could be ready sooner. "I think if we had someone who came to us and said we needed engines, we could do something right now. How extensive an effort we could manage right away remains to be seen," Evernham said. There are at least three full-time Nextel Cup Series Dodge organization that do not currently build their own engines, Petty Enterprises, BAM Racing and Arnold Motorsports.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-11-2004)
- 3rd Evernham team? Harley Davidson?: hearing that Evernham Motorsports may expand to a full-time 3-car team and that Harley Davidson may be involved with the team in some capacity. NO IDEA if this would involved Bill Elliott or who the thrid driver may be, if it happens.(6-8-2004)
- Evernham Helping Out: Ray Evernham, CEO of Evernham Motorsports [#9, #19, #91], has been named National Chairperson of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk. Evernham will put serious horsepower behind the Society's efforts to raise funds for lifesaving cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The Light The Night Walk is the Society's annual fall event held in communities throughout the U.S. to raise money for blood cancer research and patient services. Last year, the walk raised more than $18 million in 260 communities. Evernham, a longtime supporter of the Society, has a personal connection to blood cancer. In 1992, his son, Ray J, was diagnosed with leukemia at just under a year old. Today, Ray J. is a healthy teenager. In cities across the country, teams of co-workers, families and friends walk together along a two- or three- mile route in twilight holding illuminated balloons -- white for survivors and red for supporters. The walks commemorate lives touched by blood cancer. Individuals and teams of walkers are invited to participate.
Call 800-LTN-WALK or visit www.lightthenight.org.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(5-19-2004)
- Evernham Motorsports Hosts Third Annual Fan Appreciation Day: Evernham Motorsports [#'s 9.19.91] will hold its third annual Evernham Motorsports Fan Appreciation Day featuring Jeremy Mayfield, Kasey Kahne, Ray Evernham and Bill Elliott to thank fans for their support of the team and provide them an opportunity to meet the stars of Evernham Motorsports in person. Evernham Motorsports Fan Appreciation Day will be held Friday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Evernham Motorsports facilities in Statesville, N.C. Throughout the event, fans will have the opportunity to tour the race facility and meet members of the Dew Crew. The day will conclude with an autograph signing with Elliott and a second with Mayfield, Kahne and Evernham. Charlotte's WFMX-FM will be doing a live broadcast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the event. In addition, a silent auction will be held featuring several items including race memorabilia. Funds from the auction will be distributed to Racing for a Reason, a foundation established by Ray Evernham that benefits several worthy causes. For more information and directions, visit www.evernhammotorsports.com.(5-18-2004)
- Kahne to be featured in Mag: American Thunder, a new men's magazine aimed at NASCAR fans, has a sort of reverse Sports Illustrated-cover jinx going. The magazine's first issue, which was distributed at the Daytona 500 in February, had Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cover. Junior won his first Daytona 500 that day. Issue No. 2, published in March, had Rusty Wallace on the cover. Wallace proceeded to break his 105-race winless streak to win at Martinsville. Who's next? The editors say the third issue, available toward the end of May, will have rookie Kasey Kahne on the cover, just in time for the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina and the MBNA America 400 in Dover.(Philadelphia Inquirer)(5-14-2004)
- Something with that #9? Did You Know? #9-Bill Elliott [now part-time #91] finished second eight times before he picked up his first Cup win.(Caledonian Record) Now #9-Kasey Kahne has finished 2nd three times [in 7 races] with no win.(4-15-2004)
- Baldwin voted this week's best crew chief: Tommy Baldwin's confident and deft pit management of the #9 Dodge led fans to vote him WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race [www.WYPALL.com]. Even with several ill-timed cautions, the #9 Dodge doggedly moved through traffic to score a second place finish. Although Khane ended his day in the runner-up position, the majority of fans felt that Baldwin’s performance topped the crew chief charts. Baldwin joins, Lee McCall, Chad Knaus, Donnie Wingo and Robbie Reiser in a tie for 2nd place in the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, at one win each. Tony Eury, Sr., with two wins, leads the challenge. The crew chief with the most weekly wins at the end of the season will be named WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and receive $10,000.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-7-2004)
- No Retaliation from Kahne: #9-Kasey Kahne says Bristol's troubles with Jamie McMurray are behind him: "I was really upset when it happened, to be out of the race that early. But Jamie started backing out when he realized there was no room. He apologized. He said he was probably too aggressive. I mentioned retaliation, but there is no retaliation."(Winston Salem Journal)(4-3-2004)
- Kahne Sets Another Mark: #9-Kasey Kahne set another mark in winning the Bud Pole for the 2004 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway. Kahne scored his second Bud pole in just five career starts and became just one of five drivers in NASCAR history to do so. No driver has won more than two. He joins the following drivers:
Martin, Mark (2) - 7/11/81 Nashville International Raceway; 9/13/81 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway
Hutcherson, Dick (2) - 3/28/64 Greenville-Pickens Speedway; 4/14/64 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds
Burdick, Bob (2) - 5/17/59 Trenton Speedway; 6/18/59 Columbia Speedway
Kieper, John (2) - 5/27/56 Portland Speedway; 5/30/56 Eureka Speedway
Kahne, Kasey (2) - 3/5/04 Las Vegas; 3/19/04 Darlington (NASCAR Statistical Services)(3-20-2004)
- Interesting many have asked if #9-Kasey Kahne's three top-five finishes was the best record by a driver in their first four races. The following was revealed upon a query of the database by Charlie Vass. Obviously, being just one of seven drivers in NASCAR history to accomplish this is still quite remarkable!
Drivers records after four races....
Adkins, Allen 4 Top 5s
8/1/54 Oakland Stadium 3
8/22/54 Bay Meadows Race Course 4
5/8/55 Arizona State Fairgrounds 5
5/15/55 Tucson Rodeo Grounds 2
Minter, Clyde 4 Top 5s
9/25/49 Martinsville Speedway 4
10/16/49 North Wilkesboro Speedway 4
4/2/50 Charlotte Speedway 3
5/21/50 Martinsville Speedway 5
Gurney, Dan 3 Top 5s
2/16/62 Daytona International Speedway 4
2/18/62 Daytona International Speedway 27
1/20/63 Riverside International Raceway 1
2/22/63 Daytona International Speedway 5
Erickson, Erick 3 Top 5s
9/18/49 Hamburg Fairgrounds 2
4/8/51 Carrell Speedway 5
4/22/51 Arizona State Fairgrounds 2
5/6/51 Martinsville Speedway 24
Byron, Red 3 Top 5s
6/19/49 Charlotte Speedway 3
7/10/49 Daytona Beach & Road Course 1
8/7/49 Orange Speedway 22
9/11/49 Langhorne Speedway 3
Barker, Curley 3 Top 5s
5/27/56 Portland Speedway 5
6/24/56 Portland Speedway 9
8/26/56 Portland Speedway 3
9/23/56 Portland Speedway 3
Kahne, Kasey 3 Top 5s
2/15/04 Daytona International Speedway 41
2/22/04 North Carolina Speedway 2
3/7/04 Las Vegas Motor Speedway 2
3/14/04 Atlanta Motor Speedway 3
(NASCAR Statistical Services)(3-19-2004)
- More on the EM Noses: By covering the noses on its cars, Evernham Motorsports is only distracting Darrell Waltrip. Ray Evernham has been working really hard with his guys to come up with more power, and it's starting to show at the race track. If the noses on Evernham's cars were illegal, NASCAR would be on top of it, and they would put a stop to it, especially after DW and everybody said, "Lookie here!" NASCAR is going to look extra long and hard at it. It's made for interesting conversation, but I don't believe anything's happening that warrants NASCAR's concern.(FoxSports/Jeff Hammond)(3-16-2004)
- Suspect Noses? Evernham Motorsports Dodges qualified first [#9], sixth [#19] and 10th [#91] at Las Vegas, and other teams were suspicious about what advantage the Evernham crews had found. Rival manufacturers took pictures of the noses to examine the changes. The competitors discovered the noses were designed to offer greater downforce in the front and rear. "It's totally legit," one competitor says. "It's so simple it makes you mad that you didn't come up with it." Although the Evernham cars were constructed completely within the rules, chances are NASCAR will develop a new body template that defines that nose area.(FoxSports/Sporting News), while walking along pitroad before the race, the #9 and #19 cars had the noses/grill area coveredd up and didn't remove the covers until after the two cars fired up and just before the left pitroad.(3-8-2004)
Suspect Noses? a pic of the #9 nose covered
then exposed as the car was ready to roll
and a comparison shot of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge.
(I don't see the difference)
UPDATE Team owner Ray Evernham wears criticism about his cars from other competitors at Las Vegas last week as a badge of honor. Several teams claimed Evernham's teams had altered the noses on their Dodges to improve their performance, even though the cars still fit NASCAR's rigid template screening. "I'm happy again. People are looking at my stuff and taking pictures," Evernham said. "I'm still the same guy. I didn't go to sleep. I didn't go away. We're going to do everything we can do within the rules and within the templates and make our stuff good. The same things win races, good aerodynamics, good horsepower and good drivers." Evernham's rookie driver, Kasey Kahne, has finished second in the past two Nextel Cup races and is eighth in points. Teammate Jeremy Mayfield is 14th in points.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-12-2004)
- Evernham cars get some spinach for July Daytona Race UPDATE: hearing that the #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne and the #19 Dodge of Jeremy Mayfield will sport Popeye The Sailorman 75th Anniversary schemes in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July.[no images...yet](1-9-2004)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports, King Features, Action Performance, Dodge and America's Favorite Sailor will unveil the #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW/Popeye Dodges on Friday, March 12, 2004 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It will celebrate Popeye's 75th Anniversary.(3-10-2004)
- Not Sure What this means? [but I am about as sophisticated as a tack] If Kasey Kahne makes it big, as appears likely, DaimlerChrysler executives are considering marketing him with European Prada flair, according to Dodge officials.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-8-2004)
- Evernham to build own chassis: Evernham Motorsports has taken the next step in expanding its resources by developing a chassis in-house that Bill Elliott tested last month at Las Vegas. Team owner Ray Evernham says the project has been in the works for the past three years and that building the frame took 120 to 140 man hours, not including the research involved in the design. "If you want to compete at the top level, you're almost forced (to build your own chassis)," Evernham says. "We're a year behind in doing it, but it's finally going." Evernham says the chassis needs more testing, but he hopes to install it in Kasey Kahne's and Jeremy Mayfield's cars in the near future.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(2-16-2004)
- Engine Tuner leaves Evernham: Engine tuner Mike Hawkins parted with Evernham Motorsports last week. Considering that Kasey Kahne's engine failed Sunday on lap 43, it was obvious that Hawkins was missed. Hawkins is rumored to be headed for Toyota. Coupled with Jon Dennison's earlier departure at Richard Childress Racing, there now are tuner openings on the Nos. 9 and 29 teams. But the head engine builder's job at DEI -- vacant after Richie Gilmore's move to director of motorsports -- will be the hardest to fill. The company has been very secretive with the construction of its engines. The concern is that an engine specialist could come in, stay a few years and take the information elsewhere. If that's not enough, the pressure of maintaining a record that includes winning 10 of the last 13 restrictor-plate races will be intense.(Yahoo Sports)(2-16-2004)
- Mountain Dew Back with the #19 and will sponsor the #9: #9-Kasey Kahne, NASCAR Nextel Cup Series rookie, is the newest member of the Mountain Dew team. Kahne joins his Evernham Motorsports teammate, #19-Jeremy Mayfield, who has been sponsored by Mountain Dew since the 2002 season. Pepsi-Cola North America, makers of Mountain Dew, announced an agreement with Evernham Motorsports to extend their sponsorship to include rookie driver Kasey Kahne and the over-the-wall crew of Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge who compete in the Nextel Cup Series. The Evernham Motorsports pit crews for Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield will be known as the “Dew Crews.” Kahne’s Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge will race in a special Mountain Dew color scheme for one race in 2004. In addition, Kahne and Mayfield will appear on in-store display materials and make appearances during the season for Mountain Dew. This marks the fourth straight year that Mountain Dew has sponsored Evernham Motorsports drivers and teams. Pepsi’s involvement with NASCAR began when the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of NASCAR Nextel Cup races in Daytona, Fla. (Pepsi 400) and Darlington, S.C. (Mountain Dew Southern 500).(Clear!Blue PR)(2-13-2004)
IMAGES added a few images of each car to the 2004 Cup Paint Scheme Gallery.(2-15-2004)
- Kahne's Contract: been told that Kasey Kahne got out of his contract with Ford, the details are: Kahne's attorneys advised him in October his contract became void after Jason Jarrett ran a third Robert Yates Ford in last September's Cup race at Talladega. Their contention was Kahne should have been in that car, not Jarrett. So all during the winter when Kahne addressed questions about how he got out of his deal with Ford, he always responded by saying "I have fulfilled my contractual obligations." Apparently, Kahne's lawyers were correct and Ford figured a Judge would side with Dodge and Kahne.(2-10-2004)
- The Latest on Ford and Kahne: Kasey Kahne's immediate future is still the subject of speculation, with Ford officials mum about what they might do. Kahne had a contract with Ford but has jumped to [the #9] Dodge and Ray Evernham. "I try to stay out of that," Evernham says. "Kasey has honored his commitments (to Ford). His attorneys have told me they've honored their commitments. And we've kind of put that behind us and we're looking ahead now. I can only tell you what I've been told by Kasey and his attorneys."(Winston Salem Journal)(1-26-2004)
- Elliott has a new title: Bill Elliott, who plans to run 5-15 races this year, was officially dubbed “competition director” by owner Ray Evernham for the teams of Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne.(Gaston Gazette)(1-21-2004)
- Kahne - Ford update: Kasey Kahne, taking over for Bill Elliott in the #9 Dodge has neither the time nor the will to engage Ford Racing officials who claim he reneged on their development deal. Kahne insists he fulfilled his contractual obligations before leaving Akins Motorsports to take over the semi-retired Bill Elliott's ride at Evernham Motorsports. "I've done everything for Ford I needed to do for them at the end of last year," Kahne said. "As far as I see it, there is nothing going on but me driving for Dodge."
Jan. 6, however, during the first of two test sessions at Daytona International Speedway, Ford Racing Technology operations manager Greg Specht still insisted differently. "He's still currently under contract with Ford," said Specht, whose company had no Nextel Cup plans for Kahne until at least 2005. Retorted Kahne: "He obviously doesn't know what he's talking about." The question is whether Ford will attempt to make a point with Kahne.(in part from the St Petersburg Times)(1-14-2004)
- Evernham cars get some spinach for July Daytona Race: hearing that the #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne and the #19 Dodge of Jeremy Mayfield will sport Popeye The Sailorman 75th Anniversary schemes in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July.[no images...yet](1-9-2004)
- Elliott schedule to be more limited? Sponsorship may limit Bill Elliott's 2004 Nextel Cup Series schedule, team owner Ray Evernham said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. Evernham said all he could confirm this season for Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Cup champion, was three events: The Feb. 7 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona and Nextel Cup races at Las Vegas and Texas. Evernham said lack of sponsorship was tying his hands in terms of planning any further. Evernham also said although he had done a one-race experiment in the Busch Series with Mayfield, which resulted in a fourth place finish at Rockingham last fall, he did not immediately foresee running Busch races this season. Evernham said Elliott, who will work as Kahne's advisor for many of the early-season races, likely would not do more than 15 races no matter what the sponsorship program is.(NASCAR.com)(1-8-2004)
2003 News
- Testing at Nashville: Evernham Motorsports brought their Dodges to the Nashville Superspeedway for two days of testing on December 17 & 18. NASCAR drivers Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield, Kasey Kahne, and Elton Sawyer were all in town to participate, as was their owner, Ray Evernham. Mother Nature decided not to cooperate, so the testing was cut short due to weather, but the teams plan to reschedule and return to the superspeedway in early January. Mayfield said," We'll be back in a few weeks I think. This is a great place to test, it's my second visit and I look forward to coming back soon. I can't believe Nashville doesn't have a Cup race yet, hopefully in the near future."(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(12-19-2003)
- Chili Bowl Stuff: Dirt-track star Danny Lasoski has entered two additional cars for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals [www.chilibowl.com] and invited drag racer Ron Capps and NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader to drive them. They'll be competing against Tony Stewart, J.J. Yeley and Kasey Kahne in the 18th annual event Jan. 7-10 at Tulsa, Okla.(Indianapolis Star)(12-19-2003)
- Evernham Announces 2004 plans; Kahne to the #9; Elliott to a limited schedule:
Elliott to run limited schedule in Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Kahne succeeds Elliott as driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge
Baldwin joins Evernham as team director for Kahne’s #9 Dodge team
Evernham Engines to supply engines for Kahne’s Busch Series Dodge
Evernham Motorsports announced its lineup this morning for the 2004 NASCAR season. The lineup will include NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, who will run a reduced race schedule in an Evernham Motorsports Dodge; NASCAR Busch Series standout Kasey Kahne, who will succeed Elliott as the driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge; Jeremy Mayfield, who will continue as driver of the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge; and Tommy Baldwin, who will join Evernham Motorsports as team director for the #9 Dodge team.
Elliott announced his intentions to run a limited schedule for several years and remain with Evernham Motorsports as mentor and coach to the team’s drivers. Elliott’s role will expand in a business capacity with Evernham Motorsports, lending his talent in a variety of endeavors on and off the track. Details of Elliott’s participation as an Evernham Motorsports Dodge driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series still are being finalized. Initial plans call for a limited schedule with Ray Evernham and director of competition Sammy Johns overseeing the on-track program for Elliott.
Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion, also announced plans to include fan events in his 2004 schedule. In a show of appreciation for their unending support, Elliott is planning several celebrations to thank his loyal following for their devotion during his four decades of NASCAR competition. More details will follow once sponsorship is secured and Elliott’s final schedule is determined.
Kasey Kahne assumes Elliott’s role as driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge. In addition to running a full Nextel Cup schedule in the #9 Dodge, Kahne will compete full time in the NASCAR Busch Series next season. Evernham Engines will supply the #38 Great Clips Dodge with engines for 2004.
Tommy Baldwin joins Evernham Motorsports as team director for Kahne’s Cup operation. “Ray and I have known each other for a while,” said Baldwin. “The opportunity for us to work together never seemed to present itself like I wished it would have. I’m just glad it did this time. Our visions are the same, and I think you’ll see that translate well on track.”
As previously announced, Jeremy Mayfield remains in the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge for Evernham Motorsports in 2004, with Kenny Francis returning as team director.
Evernham is pleased that Elliott will remain with his organization. “I’m fortunate that things have fallen into place like they have,” said Evernham. “Bill and I worked closely to make sure we were taking this company in the right direction, but I also wanted to make sure that he had the space to really make the right decision for himself. In making that decision, I think we as an organization have made some strong personnel moves. Kasey Kahne is a bright, young star in this sport, and he will accomplish a lot with guidance from one of the best in the business. Tommy Baldwin is an asset, and I feel very lucky to have him on board. And, we have a solid base with Jeremy Mayfield and Kenny Francis returning as well. With these moves, we are on track with the vision I have for this company, and these additions only make us stronger as we move into 2004.”(Evernham Motorsports site)(12-4-2003)
UPDATE 2: Some confusion remains on what number cars Elliott and Kahne will drive in Cup competition. Elliott said he'll continue to drive the #9 Dodge in events he enters, but Evernham announced Thursday that Kahne will drive the #9 Dodge. Since Kahne will race the full 36-event schedule, it's likely he'll either drive cars with two different numbers (he'll drive in an alternate number car in events that Elliott races in). Potentially, Elliott might have to take a different number. A third option is keeping Elliott in the #9 and giving Kahne a similar number like #09 or #90 or #91 [already used by the team]. The only non-confusing element is that Jeremy Mayfield will remain in the #19 Dodge. Adding to the confusion was Elliott's take on the whole matter. Early in Thursday's teleconference, he remarked that "Kasey Kahne will be the driver of the 9 car." Moments later, Elliott said, "Right now when I run I'll run the 9; Kasey will run the 9 when I'm not racing. We've got a plan, but we're still trying to put it all together." For his part in all this, Evernham said: "Since it's not a retirement tour (for Bill Elliott), we haven't worked out all the car number stuff yet. We're still looking for partners to come on board with us, so they would certainly have some input on the number. Bill is going to run 10-15 races. On the day Bill Elliott decides it's going to be his last race, he will drive the No. 9." He will likely skip the season-opening Daytona 500 and the second race of the season at Rockingham, and make his first start of the year in the third race at Las Vegas. He also foresees running at places like Michigan, California, Pocono and Indianapolis.(ESPN)(12-5-2003)
- Elliott Announcement on Dec 4th? UPDATE 4: hearing Bill Elliott's 2004 plans will be announced in New York City during the Winston Cup Banquet week [Banquet is on Dec 5th]. Whether Elliott drives or not, he will supposedly remain with Evernham Motorsports in some capacity. Much depends on what happens with Kasey Kahne and Ford.(11-25-2003)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports, including Ray Evernham, Bill Elliott and Jeremy Mayfield, will announce its driver lineup for the #9 and #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Intrepids for the 2004 season at the Winston Media Center at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC on Thursday, December 4 at 9:30am/et.(Golin Harris PR)
UPDATE 2: Jayski was told that Eliiott is supposed to run 8-10 races in the #91 Evernham Dodge, so that rookie Casey Kahne can run the #9 with owner's points.(12-2-2003)
AND the Athens Banner-Herald [as is NASCAR.com and the AP] is reporting that: Bill Elliott will announce his retirement Thursday from full-time driving on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Morris News Service has learned. Elliott will hold a news conference in New York as part of the NASCAR Winston Cup awards show, ending months of speculation by saying the 2003 campaign was his last. The 48-year-old driver will be replaced by Kasey Kahne, 23. Kahne recently won his release from Ford Motorsports and will drive on the NASCAR Busch Series for Brad Akins and on the Nextel Cup Series for Ray Evernham, sources close to Dodge confirmed.(Athens Banner-Herald)
BUT USA Today reports: Former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott is expected to announce today that he will run a partial 2004 schedule with up-and-coming driver Kasey Kahne taking his place with the Evernham Motorsports team. Kahne, 23, is trying to get out of his contract with Ford because Evernham's team runs Dodges. Elliott could run up to 15 races next year, if the team finds a sponsor for a third car. Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield would be the regular drivers. Elliott wasn't available for comment.(USA Today)
Elliott Chat: NASCAR.com will host a LIVE chat with former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, Thurs., Dec. 4 at 10:45 AM ET. Elliott is reportedly announcing his retirement as a full-time NASCAR driver, at a press conference tomorrow morning in New York. The chat will follow the press conference.(12-3-2003)
UPDATE 4: Former Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott will run a limited schedule next season and take an active role in the development of his successor at Evernham Motorsports, NASCAR sources confirmed Wednesday. Elliott, 48, is expected to reveal his plans at a news conference Thursday morning at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, site of Friday night's Winston Cup awards ceremony. Elliott's move to a limited schedule – which may involve more than one season, depending on sponsor issues and Elliott's desire to continue racing – makes way for the arrival of NASCAR Busch Series driver Kasey Kahne at Evernham. Kahne, 23, will drive the #9 Dodge the entire 2004 Nextel Cup schedule, sources said. The races Elliott runs, perhaps as many as 10 a season, will be in a third Evernham entry, the number of which has yet to be determined, sources said. In Thursday's announcement, Elliott is expected to make clear his limited schedule is not a "retirement tour," per se, sources said. Instead, Elliott's role at Evernham will be more as a mentor for Kahne and Elliott will take on a more active role as a business partner with team owner Ray Evernham, sources said. Evernham, Elliott and Kahne were traveling to New York on Wednesday and unavailable for comment. All three, as well as Evernham driver Jeremy Mayfield, are expected to attend Thursday's announcement. After a sometimes-testy public dispute with Ford, it appears the contract issues have been resolved, at least to the point that Kahne is able to drive for Evernham's Dodge organization. Kahne will also continue to drive for Akins next season in the #38, which will move to Dodge and utilize Evernham engines.(Thatsracin.com)(12-4-2003)
- Elliott Announcement on Dec 4th? hearing Bill Elliott's 2004 plans will be announced in New York City during the Winston Cup Banquet week [Banquet is on Dec 5th]. Whether Elliott drives or not, he will supposedly remain with Evernham Motorsports in some capacity. Much depends on what happens with Kasey Kahne and Ford.(11-25-2003)
- Announcements Next Week:
Next Thursday is shaping up to be a day of answers in NASCAR. News conferences scheduled for next Thursday morning by Richard Childress Racing and Evernham Motorsports at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City should shed some light on several lingering questions left over from the 2003 season.
RCR will start the morning addressing its #30 AOL Chevrolet team in Winston Cup, announcing its new driver for the 2004 season and crew chief, sources said. Although the driver situation remains clouded, sources confirmed Kevin Hamlin, currently the crew chief with RCR's #31 Cup team, will move to the #30 in the same role.
RCR's announcement will be followed shortly by another from Evernham Motorsports.
The scope of the Evernham announcement remains unclear, but sources confirmed the future of veteran Bill Elliott, who drives the #9 Dodge for Evernham, will be addressed at the event. For the past several months, Elliott, 48, has been contemplating retirement, or at least a reduced schedule for the 2004 season.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-26-2003)
- #9 Crew Chief to Yates? UPDATE 3 Official - Yes: Mike Ford, #9-Bill Elliott's crew chief, may be leaving Elliott's team and moving to Robert Yates' team to work with Dale Jarrett and crew chief Shawn Parker, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal), may have something to do with the past rumors of Tommy Baldwin Jr. going to the #9 team.(11-3-2003)
UPDATE: being told Mike Ford will be the new crew chief, replacing Shawn Parker, no word on Parker's plans.(11-18-2003)
UPDATE 2: Mike Ford, who as crew chief helped return veteran Bill Elliott to victory lane after a seven-year absence, has been hired as the new crew chief for Dale Jarrett and his #88 UPS Fords. A formal announcement regarding Ford's hiring at Robert Yates Racing could come as early as Thursday, but Ford has already made appearances at his new race shop, sources confirmed. Shawn Parker, who has served as Jarrett's crew chief this season, has been offered another position at Yates, but has not decided whether he will remain with the organization.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-19-2003)
UPDATE 3: Robert Yates Racing [#38 and #88] announced several changes to key personnel positions for the #88 UPS and #38 M&Ms® Racing Teams:
Eddie D’Hondt was hired in late October to assume the role of General Manager for the organization, while Mike Ford and Barry Swift return to RYR where the pair was part of the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship team. Effective immediately, Ford will assume crew chief duties for driver Dale Jarrett and the #88 UPS Team while Swift will oversee all work performed while serving as the shop foreman for both teams.
“This is just the beginning of the changes we will be making over the course of the next month,” said owner Robert Yates. “We obviously slipped in 2003 from where everyone expects us to perform and that is everyone from our sponsors, to the media and most importantly ourselves. We know that championship caliber teams require the talent of experienced people and securing the right people is the first step in getting ourselves back to the level that everyone expects us to perform. Mike Ford and Barry Swift were with us when we won the championship in 1999, and really have proven their talent and capabilities while they have been away. It means a lot to have them back. For us, the 2004 season starts today with the addition of Mike and Barry moving forward. This is going to be an aggressive multi-step process which Eddie and our staff are in the midst of formulating and this is just the first step.”
Ford and Swift worked at Robert Yates Racing through the 1999 season, winning the NASCAR Winston Cup championship before leaving to join Evernham Motorsports. In four seasons as crew chief for the #9 team and driver Bill Elliott, Ford led the team to four wins with the most prestigious being the 2002 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and most recently the Pop Secret 400 at North Carolina Speedway.
“It feels like being home,” Ford said of his return to RYR. “The organization has obviously grown since I left, but there are a lot of familiar faces around. I always enjoyed working with Dale, and I know coming into this the talent he has as a race car driver. I feel like I can contribute to getting this team turned around from the recent performance. I know it is going to be a lot of work, but knowing the kind of driver Dale is and the support Robert (Yates) puts into this organization, I know we can have better results.”(Elevation Motorsports PR)(11-22-2003)
- Nothing New on Elliott UPDATE well.....maybe something: Bill Elliott was supposed to meet with owner Ray Evernham today, have heard nothing concerning any decision on Elliott's 2004 plans.(11-18-2003)
UPDATE: Mike Ford's departure from Evernham Motorsports and its #9 Dodges is likely to open the door to the hiring of crew chief Tommy Baldwin. Team officials confirmed Wednesday Baldwin no longer works for Ultra Motorsports [#7 Dodge], where he spent the 2003 season with driver Jimmy Spencer. Where all this leaves Elliott and his possible retirement remains unclear. Elliott and team owner Ray Evernham were expected to meet Tuesday, but bad weather prevented Elliott's arrival in the Charlotte area. NASCAR Busch Series driver Kasey Kahne, who has said he has talked with Evernham Motorsports about moving to Winston Cup, has yet to be released from his contract with Ford Motor Co. However, the team he drives for in the Busch Series, Akins Motorsports, announced earlier this week it was moving to Dodges next season.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-19-2003)
UPDATE 2: Elliott to Ford is getting stronger play in the rumor mill, now with Robert Yates Racing for a 10-race deal. But at this point have heard so many different things....who knows?(11-20-2003)
- No Elliott Decision until after Homestead...sometime: #9 and #91 car owner Ray Evernham said that Bill Elliott won't make a decision about next season until after Sunday's Ford 400. "Bill and I have talked about a lot of things, and we've got a lot of options," Evernham said. "We've agreed one of the things that's really important, and a major goal for this team, was to put Bill Elliott up on the stage in New York before he retired. That's all we're focusing on this week. I guess he and I are going to sit down after Homestead and talk about what our final plans are going to be."(Winston Salem Journal)(11-14-2003)
- Elliott's Pit Crew Strikes Again, Claims Eighth Win of Season: While Bill Elliott drove to an impressive victory in Sunday's 400-mile race in Rockingham, N.C., his pit crew was just as awesome, claiming top honors in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. It was the eighth win of the season for Elliott's pit crew, which increased its season earnings to $160,000. Though Elliott's pit crew leads the McDonald's/POWERade series in victories and prize money, it's the DEI crews of Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. that are in contention for the inaugural title and the $200,000 champion's bonus.
Waltrip's and Earnhardt's crews are tied in points with 1,213. With Earnhardt's crew finishing third in Rockingham and Waltrip's crew 25th, the Earnhardt team was able to pick up 22 points and tie the series standings with one race remaining - the Ford 400, Sunday (Nov. 16) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"We're all friends here at DEI, but both of the teams want this really bad," said Walt Smith, DEI pit crew coach. "It's not only the money, but also the bragging rights to win the first McDonald's/POWERade championship. It's a tremendous amount of pressure, but both teams know what they have to do and I know they will handle it very well. No matter what happens, I am very proud of all our teams at DEI."
Elliott's No. 9 Dodge spent the least amount of time on pit road at North Carolina Speedway - 203.760 seconds. Bobby Labonte's Chevrolet was second at 214.373 and Earnhardt's Chevy was third at 252.034.
"The guys were flawless on Sunday," said Elliott's crew chief Mike Ford. "They didn't make any mistakes all day long. They got Bill in and out of the pits without any trouble. In fact, we gained spots on our first stop. Then we were pretty much up front all day and never once lost a spot on pit road. They were very deserving this week. I'm very proud of all of our guys."
Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Steve Lawrence (catch can). The team's pit crew coach is Greg Miller. See my Pit Crew News Page for the results from Rockingham, season standings and race-to-race results.(DMF Communications PR)(11-12-2003)
- Elliott wins at the Rock: #9-Bill Elliott wins the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway after starting from the rear [because of an engine change after Friday's practice], led halfway and led the most laps [140], it was Elliott's 44th career win [think this will quiet the retirement talk?]. #48-Jimmie Johnson ended up 2nd, followed by #19-Jeremy Mayfield, #17-Matt Kenseth [clinches the 2003 Winston Cup Championship] and #12-Ryan Newman [the pole sitter]. #74-Tony Raines, who started 4th, finished 6th, his first ever top 10 in an unsponsored car.
Scheduled Race Re-Air: on Speed Channel:
one-hour recap/Fast Forward on Wednesday, November 12th at 7:00pm/et and again on November 13th at 1:00am/et;
and a full three-hour race show will re-air at 3:00pm/et on Thursday, November 13th
Results links, top 10, laps led, lucky dogs, DNF's, caution/narratives, notes on my Rockingham Race Rundown/Info Page and
Jayski's Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Race Results page with awards standings and stuff.
See full standings at Jayski's Drivers/Owners Points after Rockingham page.(11-9-2003)
- DODGE THIS! Media Teleconference: comment from Bill Elliott
On announcing plans for 2004 "Yes, I've got a timetable, but I'm not saying what it is."(Golin Harris PR)(11-11-2003)
- Evernham Motorsports’ No. 9 Dodge Squad Set New World Record In 2003 Union 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competition. See full story on the Pit Crew Page.(11-8-2003)
- An odd Elliott rumor - back to Ford? UPDATE: hear a hot rumor circulating around the garage area at Martinsville this weekend is that Ford and Dodge are working on a swap. Ford will release Kasey Kahne from his contract to drive for Evernham Motorsports. In exchange, Elliott will run one last season in a Ford in 2004 with a team to be determined. Unsure if it would be a full season or a partial season as had been rumored.(source)(10-19-2003)
UPDATE: After weeks of speculation, Totally NASCAR has learned that 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott will retire from full-time competition at the end of this season. Elliott will reportedly run five races next year at tracks significant to his career. Sources say Elliott, who has 43 wins and 55 poles in 726 starts, might make it official this weekend in Atlanta. Elliott is from nearby Dawsonville, GA.(FoxSports)(10-21-2003)
UPDATE 2: The latest on Bill Elliott: Ford Motor Company officials may be trying to woo him away from Dodge for a limited 10-race schedule next season as a third team for Robert Yates, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-8-2003)
- Evernham, why a Busch team? Evernham Motorsports, running their first Busch race this weekend at Rockingham, is running the Busch Series to get Jeremy Mayfield get some track time and because team owner Ray Evernham plans to start building Busch Series engines to lease in 2004. Also of note, Elton Sawyer, former Busch Series driver is working with the team as a consultant.(Speed Channel's coverage of Busch Series Qualifying)(11-7-2003)
- Elliott's Pit Crew Wins For Seventh Time: Bill Elliott's No. 9 pit crew took first place honors in Atlanta, scoring its seventh win of the season in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. It was also the fourth win in the last nine races for Elliott's crew, which has pocketed a series-leading $140,000 in the inaugural championship that recognizes the unsung heroes on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. In the McDonald's/POWERade season point standings, the pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. has seriously cut into the lead of Michael Waltrip's crew. With Waltrip's crew placing 25th in Atlanta and Earnhardt's crew sixth, the point differential is now at 19. The season champion of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade will earn a $200,000 bonus. Elliott's crew narrowly edged Bobby Labonte's No. 18 crew in Atlanta for the weekly prize. The No. 9 Dodge spent the least amount of time on pit road - 199.037 seconds. Labonte's Interstate Batteries Chevrolet was a few ticks away with a time of 200.176. Third was Kurt Busch's Ford at 202.485. "I told the guys on the radio during the race that they were doing an awesome job," said Elliott. "They kept me up front when it mattered. I can't say enough about how this team has come together. These guys deserve every bit of recognition for the hard work they've put in, not just the past few months, but all season." Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Steve Lawrence (catch can). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Greg Miller.(DMF Comminications PR), see results from Atlanta and Season Standings on my Pit Crew Page.(10-30-2003)
- Kahne signed...sort of? Kasey Kahne, a 23-year-old Busch racer, is reported to have signed a tentative contract with car owner Ray Evernham and Dodge, and Kahne, according to sources, feels that the only real debate is over who pays for the buyout. However, Ford officials are adamant about keeping Kahne in their camp. Kahne may have an out - he feels his contract says that Ford must match an offer from any other manufacturer with equal equipment. Ford, according to sources, has offered Kahne a deal with Travis Carter's two-car team; the offer from Dodge, those sources say, is to take Bill Elliott's ride.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-28-2003)
- And just when ya think all the talk was exhuasted: the Winston Salem Journal reports that #9-Bill Elliott wants to cut back his schedule dramatically next season and run only a handful of races, probably five to eight. But he has reluctantly agreed, according to sources, to run the full 2004 Nextel Cup tour one more year if car owner Ray Evernham and Dodge can't find a suitable replacement. Busch racer Kasey Kahne has been mentioned for the Elliott seat, but Ford officials are adamant that they intend to hold him to his contract, which they say has another two years to run. The entire situation has put intense pressure on both Evernham and Elliott, most vividly on Evernham, who has lashed out at reporters over the issue. But Evernham and Elliott aren't alone; Dodge executives have been putting pressure on all their teams the past several months.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-27-2003)
- Evernham to field a Busch car? It was mentioned during qualifying when #9 and #19 team owner, Ray Evernham was congratulating Bill Elliott on his top five qualifying run, that Evernham was asking Elliott to sponsor his Busch car at Rockingham [the sponsorship thing was a joke] but seemed the running a Busch car was the real thing.(10-25-2003)
- Baldwin to Gibbs...not Evernham? UPDATE 2 1/2: now hearing that #7 Ultra Motorsports [Jimmy Spencer driver/Sirius Satellite Radio sponsor] may not be a lock to go to Evernham Motorsports to crew cheif the #9 Dodge in 2004. Hearing he is also talking to Joe Gibbs Racing about the third Cup team that Gibbs plans to start to run full time in 2005. The team supposedly will have J.J. Yeley as the driver, doing an ABC [ARCA/Busch/Cup] program in 2004.(10-24-2003)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs' planned third Winston Cup team may no longer be on the fast track, at least not with Sprint star J. J. Yeley. Jimmy Makar, general manager, says that it might be a 10-race deal for next season, or a 20-race deal. Yeley, who has tested for Gibbs, is sometimes difficult to deal with, according to those who have worked with him. "A lot depends on who we pick for the driver," Makar says. "Best-case scenario we could go to Daytona with an ARCA car."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-25-2003)
UPDATE 2: Lots of talk and speculation have surrounded crew chief Tommy Baldwin’s future during the past several weeks and time has brought little closure to the talk. Baldwin has been rumored to be moving to Ray Evernham’s operation and more recently to Joe Gibb’s shops. “The only reason that Tommy left is because other teams were pressuring him,” says Baldwin’s current employer, Jim Smith. Making the statement all the more interesting is Baldwin’s presence here at Atlanta with Smith’s team as their crew chief. “He’s got a family to feed. And you know what? That’s a difficult position to be in. You can’t blame a guy for securing his family’s economy,” Smith said. TFR asked Joe Gibbs Racing technical honcho, Jimmy Makar, about Baldwin and learned that there’s been no talk between the two parties, as of yet. That might change down the road if Gibbs moves on his tentative plans for rookie J.J. Yeley. Evernham refused to talk about Baldwin, saying during yesterday’s press conference, “This is about Jeremy and Bill,” said the team owner of the press conference.(TFR/Ford Racing)(10-26-2003)
UPDATE 2 1/2: Joe Gibbs' new third team could well be headed by veteran crew chief Tommy Baldwin, according to sources. If the driver is sprint star J. J. Yeley, the 2004 schedule could be a mix of ARCA, Busch and Nextel Cup events. The prospect of Yeley on the Cup tour has some car owners and drivers, and some of Gibbs' own crewmen, shaking their heads because the 26-year-old Yeley is considered high-strung.(Winston Salem Journal - little condradiction between the two WSJ posts)(10-27-2003)
- Elliott Part Time in 2004? UPDATE 4: now hearing that Bill Elliott will semi-retire and run five Cup races in 2004, assuming it'll be in the #9 Dodge.(10-2-2003)
UPDATE: The Winston Cup garage is rife with rumors about Bill Elliott's possible retirement, but Elliott himself says it's still too early to announce his plans for 2004 and beyond. "There's too much going on to say anything right now," Elliott said. There apparently are several scenarios in play, but at this point, none of them have Elliott walking away from the sport at the end of this season. He is expected to either run the full season next year for car owner Ray Evernham or run a limited schedule -- possibly five major events. Elliott's plans hinge on several factors, including what Evernham does with Elliott's team car, the No. 19 Dodge now driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Evernham said there are no firm plans in place yet for either of his two teams. "Everything's not settled," Evernham said. "We hope to have it settled by the time we roll into Atlanta, but right now we're concentrating on it race-by-race, trying to win some races here."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-4-2003)
UPDATE 2 - An odd Elliott rumor: hear a hot rumor circulating around the garage area at Martinsville this weekend is that Ford and Dodge are working on a swap. Ford will release Kasey Kahne from his contract to drive for Evernham Motorsports. In exchange, Elliott will run one last season in a Ford in 2004 with a team to be determined. Unsure if it would be a full season or a partial season as had been rumored.(source)(10-19-2003)
UPDATE 3: After weeks of speculation, Totally NASCAR has learned that 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott will retire from full-time competition at the end of this season. Elliott will reportedly run five races next year at tracks significant to his career. Sources say Elliott, who has 43 wins and 55 poles in 726 starts, might make it official this weekend in Atlanta. Elliott is from nearby Dawsonville, GA.(FoxSports)(10-21-2003)
UPDATE 4: Bill Elliott held a press conference Thursday morning in Atlanta [see story below], and while many in the media assumed he would make an announcement about an impending retirement, he instead announced a line of snack food he's endorsing. He did acknowledge the concern about his racing future. "It has been a pretty good kick," Elliott said. "It's understandable of what the fans want to know, but right now, I don't know so how do you say what you're going to do when you don't know. We'll see. It's been a lot of fun. A lot of different things have been thrown at me. There's still a lot of things on the table as far as next year's concerned. Right now, I just need to decide what Bill Elliott wants to do."(FoxSports - Totally NASCAR)(10-24-2003)
Plus see articles at ThatsRacin.com: Evernham speaks of Elliott's uncertainty, says options in place either way; and NASCAR.com: Evernham: Elliott still figuring out future plans.(10-25-2003)
- Elliott Announcment UPDATE: Bill Elliott will be making an announcement about his future plans involving a project outside of racing on Thursday, October 23 - 11:00am/et. NOT RACING found out this announcement will have nothing to do with Racing or Elliott's 2004 Racing plans.(10-23-2003)
UPDATE: 1988 Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott today announced the formation of a new company to manufacture and distribute a line of snack foods that will feature his image. Elliott Championship Products LLC, a partnership between the driver and Championship Group Inc. of Atlanta, will launch the Bill Elliott's brand of products in convenience stores and supermarkets late this year. The line, which will initially be distributed in the Southeast, includes three flavors of beef jerky, a hot sausage, a spicy meat stick, a kippered beefsteak and three flavors of pork rinds.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(10-23-2003)
- No Elliott Fan Day: from www.billelliott.com: "We will not be having Fan Appreciation Day this year in Atlanta. However, we are focusing all our efforts on a spectacular 2004! Save all your frequent fly miles as you will not want to miss out!"(10-21-2003)
- Kahne, Baldwin to Debut at Homestead? hearing Tommy Baldwin [current crew chief on the #7 car] will crew chief a third Evernham Motorsports Dodge [#91?] at Homestead with Kasey Kahne driving. Kahne supposedly will drive the #9 full time in 2004. Bill Elliott will supposedly run a select number of Cup races in 2004, expect that announcement to come next week in Atlanta. Akins Motorsports, Kahne's current Busch Team [#38] and currently a Ford will work with Evernham Motorsports and Kahne will drive at most companion races in a Dodge.(source)(10-19-2003)
- Dodge Dropping Teams? UPDATE: Dodge may cut back its Nextel Cup operations by limiting car owners to a single team sponsorship, which could be why Jeremy Mayfield has felt under such pressure lately with car owner Ray Evernham.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-18-2003)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports has been the center of various rumors lately but team owner Ray Evernham wants to put one of them to rest. During an interview for RPM2Day he made it clear that his team will definitely field two cars full time next season. There were rumors that he would field just one.(ESPN)(10-21-2003)
- Elliott's Pit Crew is Awesome Again; Captures Record Sixth Victory With Strong Performance in Charlotte: Bill Elliott's No. 9 pit crew became the first six-time winner of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade with its narrow victory in Saturday night's (Oct. 11) NASCAR Winston Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
The six McDonald's/POWERade victories also put Elliott's crew on top of the prize money list with a season total of $120,000. In the overall point standings, Elliott's pit crew is ranked sixth.
Michael Waltrip's No. 15 crew, which finished second to Elliott's team in Charlotte, continues its season points lead in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship. Waltrip's team has 1089 points, 37 more than the second-place crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. The season pit crew champion will earn a $200,000 bonus.
Elliott's Dodge edged Waltrip's Chevrolet for least amount of time spent on pit road during Saturday's UAW-GM Quality 500. The No. 9 Dodge, owned by Evernham Motorsports, was clocked with a pit road time of 216.244 seconds. The time for Waltrip's NAPA Chevy was 216.573. Earnhardt Jr's Chevy was third with 220.870.
"This is great, we're jelling and knew we had a good race in Charlotte," said Greg Miller, pit crew coach for the No. 9 team. "The McDonald's/POWERade championship means a lot to the crew. It's kind of our way of gaining the hidden respect. The guys really look forward to this every week and it makes everybody want to be at their best."
Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Steve Lawrence (catch can). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford.(DMF Communications PR), for Charlotte results, season standings and who won each week , see my Pit Crew News page.(10-15-2003)
- Evernham losing sponsor? Jeremy Mayfield could be on the way out of the #19, mostly because Evernham could have sponsorship troubles.(
NASCAR.com Buzz), but it doesn't expand on it, have not heard anything about Dodge Dealers leaving Evernham.(10-10-2003)
- Kahne to Cup; Evernham? UPDATE 4 third Yates team?: Busch Series driver Kasey Kahne has received several Winston Cup job offers for the 2004 season, with the most serious coming from Evernham Motorsports, sources said Thursday. Kahne, reached Thursday by phone, confirmed he has received "five or six Cup offers from top-20 teams," but he declined to name them. Kahne, 23, drives the #38 Great Cuts Ford for Akins Motorsports. He is eighth in points with three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes this season. He won his first pole at Michigan in August. Evernham Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing were among the top Cup teams expressing interest, with Evernham the most serious, sources said. Of the three, only RCR currently has an opening for the 2004 season, in its #30 AOL Chevy. Gibbs has Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart under long-term contracts and Evernham currently has Bill Elliott and Jeremy Mayfield under contract. However, there has been a lot of speculation about Elliott's future and whether he would retire at the end of the season. Mayfield's job performance has also been under scrutiny this year. A spokesperson for Evernham Motorsports declined to comment Thursday on any connection between Kahne's Winston Cup plans and Evernham Motorsports. Kahne, who is under contract with Ford Motor Co. through the 2005 season, said he has spoken to Ford officials about the Cup teams' interest. None was a Ford team, he said.(ThatsRacin.com)
UPDATE: Robert Yates Racing PR folks tell me that: Not only is Kasey under contract with Ford Racing but he remains under a multi-year contract with Robert Yates Racing. He's driven the Great Clips Ford for Akins Motorsports this year on basically a "loaner" basis. Both Ford and RYR expect Kasey to be racing Ford's for years to come. They haven't been contacted by Kasey or another team about releasing him from his contract.
AND Kahne said during an interview on Speed Channel's Busch Series Qualifying that he will run a full Busch Series schedule in 2004, driving the #38 Great Clips car.(10-3-2003)
UPDATE 2: Ford's Kenny Kahne is suddenly a hot item among rivals who would like to hire the Busch driver to run Winston Cup next season. Among the car owners reported to be interested: Dodge's Ray Evernham. Kahne has a contract with Ford however that runs another two years, though he said he's getting Winston Cup offers. So Ford officials may now be looking for a Ford team willing to give Kahne a ride. Kahne has a contract with Robert Yates too, so he would be the logical pick, but Yates' two Cup teams aren't doing all that well at the moment so it seems unlikely he would want to expand.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-4-2003)
UPDATE 3: what I hear is that while Kahne is under contract with Ford, supposedly his contract says he can entertain offers but Ford can match those offers, but supposedly Dodge's offer is pretty steep and may be tough to match, been told this is for the #9 Dodge and Mayfield would stay in the #19 next year.(10-6-2003)
UPDATE 4 - Yates 3rd team? Kasey Kahne, who is eighth in Busch points, is a candidate to drive one of Evernham's Dodges in Cup next season, but there's a conflict. Sources say Kahne's current contracts include two years with Ford and three years with Robert Yates Racing. Both organizations have nurtured Kahne, whose No. 38 Ford is powered by Yates engines, and are not pleased he is listening to offers outside the Ford camp. Kahne, 23, says he doesn't think there are Cup options for him in a Ford, but Robert Yates says he has a sponsor and plans to run a limited Cup schedule with Kahne in 2004 and full time in 2005.(Sporting News/Yahoo Sports)(10-6-2003)
- Elliott Part Time in 2004? UPDATE: now hearing that Bill Elliott will semi-retire and run five Cup races in 2004, assuming it'll be in the #9 Dodge.(10-2-2003)
UPDATE: The Winston Cup garage is rife with rumors about Bill Elliott's possible retirement, but Elliott himself says it's still too early to announce his plans for 2004 and beyond. "There's too much going on to say anything right now," Elliott said. There apparently are several scenarios in play, but at this point, none of them have Elliott walking away from the sport at the end of this season. He is expected to either run the full season next year for car owner Ray Evernham or run a limited schedule -- possibly five major events. Elliott's plans hinge on several factors, including what Evernham does with Elliott's team car, the No. 19 Dodge now driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Evernham said there are no firm plans in place yet for either of his two teams. "Everything's not settled," Evernham said. "We hope to have it settled by the time we roll into Atlanta, but right now we're concentrating on it race-by-race, trying to win some races here."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-4-2003)
- Riggs to Decide in two weeks: Busch Series driver [#10] Scott Riggs has given himself two weeks to make a major, and enviable, decision. Second in a tight Busch Series points race behind Brian Vickers, the 32-year-old has received "way more than 10" offers to drive in NASCAR's Nextel Cup series next year. "I still haven't whittled everything down to where I can figure out the most competitive ride and where I feel the most comfortable," Riggs said Wednesday during a trip to Tampa. "I've had a lot of calls about my future and people wanting me to be a part of theirs. I'm almost ready to make (the decision) so I can go on and focus on winning a championship." Contrary to numerous published reports, he said no offer has come from Richard Childress Racing, which fired Steve Park on Tuesday. "I've not heard from Richard Childress," he said. "I had a great opportunity with them two years ago; he offered me a chance to go Busch racing with him, but it wasn't the best choice for me because it was going to be a rookie team. I felt like as a rookie, going into a new series with an all-rookie team would be more than I could bite off, so I decided to go with (ppc Racing)."(St Petersburg Times), heaviest rumors seem to be with DEI [#1 Chevy], Evernham [#9 or #19] and a smaller team, #57 CLR, which he tested for at Lowe's last month.(10-2-2003)
- Elliott Part Time in 2004? now hearing that Bill Elliott will semi-retire and run five Cup races in 2004, assuming it'll be in the #9 Dodge.(10-2-2003)
- Changes at the #9 Evernham Motorsports team? UPDATE 2: hearing there could be some crew changes at the #9 Evernham Motorsports team, which could include crew chief [compitition director] Mike Ford.(9-18-2003)
UPDATE: hearing Tommy Baldwin Jr. could move over to the #9 team, he is currently with the #7 and driver Jimmy Spencer.(9-19-2003)
UPDATE 2: hearing Baldwin to the #9 is a done deal and will be announced soon.(10-2-2003)
- Still No word on Elliott's plans: #9-Bill Elliott, according to those who've talked with him, is no closer to a decision about his future than he was months ago. But the longer he delays making a decision about retirement, the more likely he is to stick with car owner Ray Evernham for another year. Complicating the situation for Evernham is his second team - will Jeremy Mayfield return for a third year? Will Dodge officials ask Evernham to make a change?(Winston Salem Journal)(9-28-2003)
- Elliott's Crew Wins Pit Award: Bill Elliott's No. 9 pit crew notched its fifth victory in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade by edging Elliott Sadler's team in Sunday's MBNA America 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. The No. 9 pit crew became the second team to capture five McDonald's/POWERade wins and season prize money of $100,000 ($20,000 for each win). The crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. also has five victories. The four other first-place finishes for Elliott's crew were at: Bristol (March), Talladega (April), New Hampshire (July) and Darlington (August). Elliott's No. 9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge spent the least amount of time on pit road for participating teams during the Dover race - 197.400 seconds. Sadler's No. 38 M&Ms Ford was a close second with a total pit road time of 197.728. Third was Jeff Burton's Citgo Ford at 230.933. "The guys certainly earned it this week," said Elliott. "They were on their game. We gained several positions on pit road, not just once but throughout the day. I am proud of them." Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Steve Lawrence (catch can). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Greg Miller. Though Michael Waltrip's No. 15 Chevrolet had an early exit in the Dover race, the team hardly lost any ground in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade point standings. The team's closest challenger - the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet team for Dale Earnhardt Jr. - also posted a DNF. Waltrip's pit crew has a 32-point lead over Earnhardt's crew. Kurt Busch's team is third - 42 points behind. The season pit crew champion will earn a $200,000 bonus.(DMF Communications PR), for season results, other race results and pit crew news I find, see my Pit Crew page.(9-25-2003)
- More on Elliott and Mayfield: Where Jeremy Mayfield may drive next season could depend on Bill Elliott's decision on retirement that his expected later this month. Mayfield's second place at Richmond was his best run with car owner Ray Evernham, but in their nearly two years together Mayfield has all but vanished on race days, leading to rumors he was looking for another ride, possibly with Childress. Why the Mayfield-Evernham team hasn't clicked any better has been a mystery. Sources close to Elliott have said that he will announce his retirement. If so, then Evernham may have to make some tough decisions. Mayfield said he has signed a contract renewal and given it to Evernham and is waiting to see what Evernham does.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-11-2003)
- Evernham to one team? Akins to move up with Kahne? There has been speculation on the future of Evernham Motorsports if Bill Elliott retires and Jeremy Mayfield moves on after this season. Mayfield, who had a season-high second-place finish at Richmond, says he does not want to leave and adds that the potential for chemistry is there between him and crew chief Kenny Francis. One scenario that has been suggested is Evernham losing one team and Brad Akins' #38 Busch Series team changing allegiance from Ford to Dodge. That would allow Dodge to promote that team and its driver, 23-year-old Kasey Kahne, to Winston Cup.(FoxSports), thought Kahne was signed with Ford?(9-8-2003)
- Elliott to decide by end of month: #9-Bill Elliott says he will decide by the end of the month whether he'll retire at the end of the current Winston Cup season or return for one more year. But the choice isn't as simple as it seems. He's struggling to make a decision that is in the best interest of a host of parties, including his car owner Ray Evernham, his crew, NASCAR and his legions of fans. He's in the last year of his contract with car owner Ray Evernham, but Evernham has said the No. 9 Dodge is Elliott's for as long as he wants to drive it. Elliott, who is still fully capable of winning, says he won't leave Evernham unless a top-notch replacement is standing by to take over his car. Complicating matters is the fact that Elliott's teammate Jeremy Mayfield is struggling, which could mean he might be forced out of the #19 Dodge. If Elliott retired at the end of this year, that could leave Evernham in the difficult position of having a multi-car race team with no drivers in place for the upcoming season. Then there are the top NASCAR officials who are urging Elliott to continue for at least one more season, so his contributions to the sport can be properly recognized. But Elliott, who shuns the spotlight whenever possible, said he wants no part of the type of retirement tour that Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip took in the final season of their careers.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(9-5-2003)
- #9 Crew Wins Pit Championship Award for 4th time after being fastest at Darlington: The inaugural McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade has paid out $500,000 to pit crews during the first 25 NASCAR Winston Cup races of the 2003 season. Leading the prize money list is the pit crew for Bill Elliott's team, which swiped its fourth victory of the season Sunday at the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Elliott's crew has earned $80,000 ($20,000 for each win) and is the first four-time winner of the championship that recognizes and awards the unsung heroes of the sport. Elliott's car, which finished fifth in the Darlington race, spent the least amount time on pit road for participating teams. The #9 Dodge was off the track for 469.770 seconds, edging Bobby Labonte's Interstate Batteries Chevrolet that spent 470.354 seconds on pit road. Third was Elliott Sadler's Ford at 471.403. "With the level of competition the way it is now you shoot to spend as little time on pit road as possible," said Elliott's crew chief Mike Ford. "That's a combination of your driver, calling the race and your pit stops. Your goal is keeping the car on the racetrack and not in the pits." Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Steve Lawrence (catch can). The team's pit crew coach is Greg Miller. With 11 races remaining, Michael Waltrip's crew leads the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship with 912 points, a 53-point lead over the second-place pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Elliott's team, which did not join the program until the fifth race of the season, is ninth with 777 points. The season pit crew champion will receive a $200,000 bonus.
For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page.(DMF Communications PR)(9-4-2003)
- Retirement not an easy call, Elliott says UPDATE: Bill Elliott said LAST week he'll talk about his plans for retirement as a driver when he's good and ready to do so, but he admitted again Saturday that it's something he's thought about. "I am at the age that not many people go very much past," said Elliott, who turn 48 on Oct. 8. Only four drivers in history - Dale Earnhardt, Morgan Shepherd, Bobby Allison and Harry Gant - have won at an older age than Elliott is right now.
"I do know I'm on the shorter end of the stick," Elliott said. "Whether it's this year, next year or the year after, we've got to sit down with (car owner) Ray (Evernham) and make that decision. We've got to talk about not only what's best for me but what's best for the race team.
"That's something I need to sit down and think through, discuss and figure out what's going to be best. It's a huge decision to make, but right now my focus in on this race and that's (retirement's) the farthest thing from my mind."(ThatsRacin.com)(8-30-2003)
UPDATE: Bill Elliott, always the realist, admits he'd consider retirement under the right circumstances, but he notes much would have to line up correctly to persuade him to call it quits after this season. Elliott, 48 in October, noted after his Brickyard victory last year that he would begin to consider his future toward the end of his driving contract with Evernham Motorsports. That contract concludes after this season, although both Elliott and owner Ray Evernham are considering extending it. "It depends on a lot of circumstances," the 1988 NASCAR champion said. "If Ray could find somebody to get in the car and take the team to the next level, I'd step out and let it go. But several things are going to have to happen. Do we go this road, this road, this road? I'll tell you one thing, I'd quit this minute if I had to go through changing teams again. "I wouldn't do that another year. I'm way too old for that crap."(Speed Channel)(8-31-2003)
- Elliott to Retire at End of 2003? UPDATE 2 Elliott diecast in 2004 refutes rumor: hearing rumors that Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge with Evernham Motorpsorts is considering retiring at the end of the 2003 season. Rumored driver to replace him? Greg Biffle.
HOWEVER two recent reports seem to indicate Elliott is racing in 2004 and Biffle is close to reupping with Roush Racing and the #16 team:
Evernham not changing drivers: There has been talk that Brendan Gaughan, who leads the Craftsman Truck Series in points and victories (four), might move to Cup racing in 2004, possibly with Evernham Motorsports. Though Gaughan, 28, tested for the organization in the past, team owner Ray Evernham says the next logical step for Gaughan would be the Busch Series. One thing is certain: Evernham has no intention of replacing Bill Elliott or Jeremy Mayfield next year. “For his age (47), Bill is one of the best drivers I've ever worked with, and he carries our deal on his back a lot of the time,” Evernham says. “I feel like I owe him a lot.” …(Sporting News)(8-20-2003)
AND Biffle not signed...yet: during a NASCAR This Morning [Fox Sports Net - each Sunday at 10:30am/et] #16-Greg Biffle was interviewed and asked by John Roberts if he was signed for next year [2004], Biffle said no, but they are working on a contrat extension for next year and beyond and to do some Busch Series racing.(8-10/20-2003)
UPDATE: #9-Bill Elliott isn't giving any hints about his future driving plans, even amid widespread speculation that he's contemplating retiring at the end of this season. "When I'm ready to talk, I'll talk. When I ain't, I ain't," Elliott said Tuesday. "That's just plain and simple. When it's time, it's time and I'll let you know." This year has been a bit of a struggle for Elliott, who broke his foot in an accident in May but did not miss a race, driving with a special brace to help him shift. But he's got just three top-five finishes and is 17th in the standings. Still, car owner Ray Evernham said Elliott can drive the #9 Dodge as long as he wants to. "Bill is one of the best drivers I've ever worked with, and he carries our deal on his back a lot of the time," Evernham said. "I feel like I owe him a lot and he can drive my car until he doesn't want to do it anymore." But Elliott admitted Tuesday he has given thought to how long he wants to continue driving. If he's come to a conclusion, he wasn't saying. "I'm almost 50 now, so I've given it thought because I'm definitely on the shorter end of the stick," he said.(see full story and quotes at ThatsRacin.com/AP)(8-27-2003)
UPDATE 2: Been told Bill Elliott is scheduled to run a NHL All Star Game Evernham Dodge at Daytona in 2004, that would seem to refute any retirement 'rumors'. AND Ray Evernham may be in the market for a new driver, if Jeremy Mayfield leaves. Evernham and other Dodge team owners have been under heavy pressure from Dodge executives to improve performance. Bill Elliott, Evernham's other driver, said he expects crew chief Mike Ford to continue in that position next season.(Winston Salem Journal), that sounds like Elliott has no plans on retiring this at the end of this year.(8-30-2003)
- Evernham not changing drivers: There has been talk that Brendan Gaughan, who leads the Craftsman Truck Series in points and victories (four), might move to Cup racing in 2004, possibly with Evernham Motorsports. Though Gaughan, 28, tested for the organization in the past, team owner Ray Evernham says the next logical step for Gaughan would be the Busch Series. One thing is certain: Evernham has no intention of replacing Bill Elliott or Jeremy Mayfield next year. “For his age (47), Bill is one of the best drivers I've ever worked with, and he carries our deal on his back a lot of the time,” Evernham says. “I feel like I owe him a lot.” …(Sporting News)(8-20-2003)
- #9 and #19 get a Mane UPDATE: hearing #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Jeremy Mayfield will sport Lion King paint schemes at Kansas Speedway in Oct.(6-23-2003)
IMAGES: see images of the cars at 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Car #'s 0-23.(8-19-2003)
- Elliott's crew wins New Hampshire Pit Crew competition: The weekly McDonald's/POWERade Drive-Thru Pit Championship was won by Bill Elliott's (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) crew at the New England 300. Elliott spent 165.612 seconds in the pits “ the least amount of pit time among teams competing in the program. Overall, Michael Waltrip's crew leads with 719 points, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew with 644. Robby Gordon (No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet “ 621 points) is third, followed closely by Bobby Labonte's crew (618).(NASCAR PR) -- will have more when the PR is released.(7-22-2003)
AND Bill Elliott's No. 9 pit crew showcased its fast and accurate skill again - winning the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade at Sunday's New England 300 in Loudon, N.H. It was the third time this season the No. 9 Dodge pit crew captured top honors and the $20,000 first-place prize that comes with winning the weekly McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship. The team's other wins were at Bristol (March 23) and Talladega (April 6). The only other pit crew to win three times is Michael Waltrip's No. 15 team. Elliott's No. 9 Dodge, owned by Ray Evernham Motorsports, totaled 165.612 seconds on pit road Sunday, nearly three seconds ahead of Robby Gordon's car (168.115). Kurt Busch's Ford was third with 175.217 seconds. Elliott's over-the-wall crew consists of: Todd Colburn (jackman), Nick Bailey (front tire carrier), Jim Pohlman (front tire changer), Eric Wakeland (rear tire carrier), Joe Kruschek (rear tire changer), Rodney Rhodes (gasman) and Mike Goins (catch can). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Greg Miller. "These guys work hard every week," said Elliott. "It's a total team effort and that's what you need these days with the competition so close. Every position on the track counts and being able to pick up spots on pit road is important. My guys are doing a good job, and I'm proud of them. It's nice to see their efforts rewarded." Despite not joining the program until the fifth race of the season, Elliott's pit crew is ranked 11th in the season standings with 524 points. Waltrip's No. 15 crew continues to have a comfortable lead with 719 points. Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew is second with 644.(DMF Communications PR). For the season standings, who has won each week, the top 10 last race, see my Pit Crew Page.(7-23-2003)
- Elliott's Foot - update: "I'm telling you what, these guys have done a fantastic job of keeping us moving forward. I struggled trying to get a feel for what I had to do to drive with this foot, and I feel like I was a little bit of a negative to this team. We kept on plugging away at it though and Sonoma was a good day for us. We needed that little boost after what we've been through the past month or so. I'm anxious to keep that going into the part of the season where're we've done pretty well in the past." says Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Summer Days Sales Dodge Dealers Dodge.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(7-2-2003)
- Elliott sticks by Friend: For the past four weeks, Bill Elliott has traveled to the federal courthouse in Atlanta to sit in silent support of his long-time and close friend Curtis Colwell, who was convicted Wednesday on four counts that prosecutors say involved falsifying company records to save money on worker's compensation insurance premiums. Elliott said Colwell was there to help when several members of his pit crew were struck and injured at Riverside in 1987, and he was there trying to get help for crewman Michael Rich, who was killed at Atlanta in 1990. "He was with me at Evergreen Speedway in Washington state in the 1980s when I wrecked and the car caught on fire," Elliott said. "I was coming off Turn 4, and a guy hit me in the left front and caught me on fire. I was sitting there in the middle of the track burning, and Curtis came running across the race track and drug me out of the car." Colwell spent countless hours with Elliott's nephew Casey before the youngster died of cancer in 1996, and he was there with Elliott when Elliott broke his foot at Charlotte last month. "I don't know that I've slept a wink this week until last night," Elliott said Friday, adding that the distraction of the trial has hampered his ability to refresh himself between races. It's not just the time I spent at the trial; it's the anxiety, the worry, not just for Curtis, but for what this has done to his parents, Carlton and Odetta," he said. "I just don't think they're bad people." Elliott said that in recent years, the elder Colwells, who were not charged, have treated him like one of their own. The Colwells maintained that they trusted their insurance matters to others, including their agents and consultants Bill Plemons and Russell Smith, who both pleaded guilty in the case and testified against the Colwells. Elliott plans to speak for his friends at their sentencing hearing, even if it means missing qualifying or possibly a race.(see full story at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(6-29-2003)
- #9 and #19 get a Mane: hearing #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Jeremy Mayfield will sport Lion King paint schemes at Kansas Speedway in Oct.(6-23-2003)
- Simo to stand by for Elliott: Bill Elliott will drive the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge this weekend. However, Trans-Am Series driver Brian Simo tested the #9 Dodge at Carolina Motorsports Park and is scheduled to standby for Elliott at Infineon Raceway in case Elliott needs relief for his broken foot.(Golin Harris PR)(6-18-2003)
- Update on Bill Elliott's Broken Foot: "I go to the doctor tomorrow (Wednesday) for another x-ray. We'll know more then but I don't expect that it's gotten any worse. We're just going on a day-by-day basis just like last week. The team is really doing a great job helping me stay comfortable and dealing with the situation. I didn't race with the protective boot this weekend and we'll just have to see what we'll do for this weekend. Tomorrow we should know a little more."(Golin Harris PR)(6-11-2003)
- Elliott needs no relief: #9-Bill Elliott completed all 200 laps Sunday, despite problems shifting and braking with broken bones in his left foot. Elliott broke the bones in a wreck at The Winston all-star race at Charlotte. He finished 19th, the last car on the lead lap. He would likely have finished higher but was caught in a three-car wreck with two laps to go.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-9-2003)
- Kimmel Cleared: NASCAR cleared reigning ARCA champion Frank Kimmel to drive in Sunday's Pocono 500 in relief of Bill Elliott, despite Kimmel not getting any seat time because of bad weather on Saturday. Elliott, who broke bones in his left foot in an accident at The Winston all-star race, has not decided whether he will use a relief driver Sunday, but car owner Ray Evernham has been making preparations in case one is needed. NASCAR typically requires relief drivers to have spent some time in the car during a practice prior to the race. "We went already and spoke to (Winston Cup series director) John Darby and (NASCAR President) Mike Helton just to make sure if Frank didn't get a chance to practice the car if he's cleared, and he is cleared," Evernham said. "He's driven plenty Winston Cup races, and he's driven here in a Winston Cup race. He has raced here quite a bit and was on track yesterday. If Bill gets out of the car, Frank is cleared to drive it."(ThatsRacin.com)(6-7-2003)
- Update on Elliott's Broken Foot; Kimmel to stand by: Bill Elliott: "Right now we're looking at several options (for Sunday's race at Pocono). I have been able to right-foot brake in the past at some places, but it's not the normal way of what I'm looking for. To have driven as long as I have and try to change all of a sudden, as competitive as things are today, you just can't up and change what you're doing in the middle of the stream. It's difficult to do, and I've not been able to do it. You do a lot of shifting and a lot of different stuff at Pocono. It's not hardly as bad as Sears Point or Watkins Glen, but it's a long day because it's a 500-mile race. Right now I don't know what we're going to do, whether we try to look at it when we get there or what. I'll know more tomorrow (Wednesday). I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow. He's going to re-X-ray my foot and see where it is. The last X-ray showed the same as the one before, which they tell me X-rays lag behind until your bones kind of bridge together and that shows a sign of healing. I've not seen that yet, but I'll know more when I go see the X-ray tomorrow."
Four-time ARCA RE/Max Series Champion, Frank Kimmel, will be on hand at Pocono Raceway this weekend in the event that the No. 9 team needs a replacement driver.
Elliott is scheduled to the same car he ran last year at Pocono, Indianapolis and the 2001 Homestead-Miami race. Elliott drove this car to victory in all three events.(Evernham Motorsports/Golin Harris PR)(6-4-2003)
- Evernham's Return to Racing rained out: Ray Evernham's much-ballyhooed return to driving at Wall Township Speedway Saturday ended like most of New Jersey's races this year with a driving rainstorm. But it wasn't from lack of trying. Speedway officials waited out Saturday's morning and afternoon rains, and track safety vehicles circled the third-of-a-mile asphalt oval during a brief respite in the rain from 4:30.-6:00/pm/et. But another shower that hit shortly after 6:00pm/et officially canceled the show that was to include a 15-lap match race featuring Hazlet native and NASCAR Winston Cup car owner Evernham. The race is not expected to be rescheduled. Ticket stubs from Saturday's show are good for admission to any Wall race for the rest of 2003, with the exception of the June 29 NASCAR Modified Series race and the July 26 appearance of NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Michael Waltrip, Steve Park, Sterling Marlin and Kenny Wallace.(Newark Star Ledger)(6-2-2003)
- Elliott having tough time braking; may use a sub at Sonoma: #9-Bill Elliott will start 32nd in the race with three broken bones on the top of his left foot and a broken toe, and he admits that the injury is causing him some problems. "It's not hurting me," Elliott said. "I've just got to figure out how to brake correctly with this new deal. ...We'll just see how it goes." The new deal Elliott referred to is a carbon-fiber brace his team has fashioned for him, aimed at keeping him from bending the foot and, potentially, doing further damage that might require surgery, team owner Ray Evernham said. "He really can't feel how much pressure he's putting on the brake," Evernham said. "He felt bad about qualifying because he really couldn't get his rhythm." Evernham said his biggest worry is how much pain Elliott will feel over the course of a 600-mile race. "Six hundred miles' worth of vibration in one of these cars going through broken bones is going to be a lot of pain," Evernham said. "Bill's got a touch of the flu, too. It has not been a great week for the No. 9 bunch." Ted Musgrave will be on stand-by in case Elliott needs a relief driver during the 600.(ThatsRacin.com)
Although Bill Elliott said his left foot isn't hurting, he's walking with a severe limp. Elliott suffered three broken bones in his left foot in a crash at The Winston last weekend. Car owner Ray Evernham said the injury could take at least four weeks to heal. Evernham said the team has talked about possibly using another driver when the series heads to the road course in Sonoma, Calif., next month. Elliott might need a substitute at the road course because of all the braking and shifting.(Roanoke Times)(5-25-2003)
- 48G's for Elliott: it was reported during Speed Channel's Cup Qualifying coverage that #9-Bill Elliott's Dodge took a 48-G hit in the accident during the Winston in which Elliott broke 3 bones in his left foot.(5-23-2003)
- Mayfield Safe in the #19; Elliott signed thru 2005, and Atwood back? Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham debunked rumors Tuesday of #19-Jeremy Mayfield's demise and also spoke of the futures of #9-Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood. Mayfield has been the subject of the media rumor mill based on his lackluster results this season. Despite a 2002 season in which Mayfield finished 26th in the standings with two top-fives, four top-10's and seven DNFs, Evernham said he was unquestionably standing behind his driver. "Jeremy Mayfield is in the 19 -- there's no question about his future," Evernham said. "We're working as hard as we can work to get that 19 car back to the front (and) they're probably closer than you think. It's not an easy sport (but) as long as we keep communicating and holding hands and digging hard, that's all that we can do." Elliott, 47 will be driving Evernham's #9 Dodge well into the future. "Bill is under contract through 2005, and he knows that No. 9 car is his as long as he wants to drive it," Evernham said. "He has said he'll give us plenty of notice if he decides he wants to do anything else." Atwood, 22, was displaced when Mayfield was hired to drive the #19 car beginning last year. In 2002, Atwood drove the No. 7 Dodge for Evernham/Ultra Motorsports, but he was released near the end of the season. He remains under contract to Evernham, though he's been given his release to seek other opportunities [such as the #82 U.S Navy Chevy in the Busch Series]. Evernham will field a #91 Dodge at Pocono next month for Atwood, and has said he would like to do more races with that car. "We're still working with Casey Atwood," Evernham said. "There's a chance he might be back in one of the red cars some time in the future."(see full story and quotes at NASCAR.com)(5-20-2003)
- Elliott Breaks Bones in Foot UPDATE 3: #9-Bill Elliott is being transported to a local hospital to be checked out, he is complaining of foot pain.(5-17-2003)
UPDATE: XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio (Subscription Required) reported that Elliott has three broken bones on the top of his left foot, Elliott's status for next weekend's Coca-Cola 600 is unknown at this point.(5-18-2003)
UPDATE 2: An official announcement about Elliott's status for this weekend's 600-mile race in Charlotte should come Tuesday.(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(5-20-2003)
UPDATE 3: Elliott will be in the #9 Dodge and start the Coke 600 this weekend. He will use a carbon fiber foot protector. CTS driver, Ted Musgrave will stand by in case relief is needed.(5-20-2003)
- Bill Elliott Donates $10,000 to Union County Primary School: Students at Union County Primary school in Blairsville got a special ride on Monday as they received a $10,000 donation from Bill Elliott and celebrated reading transportation-style. The school's library will also receive new books as part of a $10,000 donation (100,000 Box Tops for Education coupons) given by Elliott as part of his winning the 2002 Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. At the start of the school year Elliott challenged students to meet their AR goals and promised to reward them with today's event. The school set two goals for the students to meet this school year. One was to earn a difficult 30,000 points. The other goal was for the school to have less than 10% of the students at risk in reading. The students went beyond that and earned over 37,800 points and had only 5% at risk.. They have passed computerized tests on over 74,524 books this year with an average score of 91%. Box Tops for Education is a school fundraising program run by General Mills, Inc. More than 22 million American households clip Box Tops for Education. Since the program's inception in 1996, General Mills has given nearly $70 million to America's schools. Schools can earn up to $60,000 each school year. For more information about Box Tops for Education, visit boxtops4education.com.(Golin Harris PR)(5-20-2003)
- Rudd, Elliott to be honored: On Sunday, Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott will be presented with personalized belt buckles commemorating their first Winston Cup victory 20 years ago at Riverside International Raceway. California Speedway executive Les Richter was general manager at RIR at the time before joining NASCAR.(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(4-25-2003)
- Elliott Scheme at the Brickyard: 2002 Brickyard 400 winner, #9-Bill Elliott will run a speical 10th Running of the Brickyard scheme at Indianapolis in August. See my Paint Schemes Gallery - Car #'s 0-23 for the image.(4-25-2003)
- Elliott does some dirt trackin': On Saturday night the fans and drivers at Seven Flags Speedway, a dirt track in Douglasville, GA got quite a surprise. Bill Elliott dropped in unexpectedly to run the Late Model feature. Joe Armistead Jr., who qualified before Elliott, started on the pole with Elliott alongside. When the green flag dropped, Armistead bolted into the lead. The lead duo ran bumper-to-bumper in the early laps, but Armistead never relinquished the lead and led all 30 laps to get the victory. "It was one of the most memorable races I've ever run," Armistead said. "I've always been a big Bill Elliott fan, so it was really cool to get to race with him." But because Elliott didn't tell anyone ahead of time that he planned to race at Seven Flags, only the few hundred in attendance knew he'd been there. Elliott also raced his dirt car at Talladega Short Track on Friday night, but spun on the start and was unable to work his way back to the front.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(4-11-2003)
- Bill Elliott's Pit Crew Wins Again: The pit crew for #9-Bill Elliott captured the $20,000 prize in McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by Powerade for the fastest pit work among participating teams in last Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #9 spent a total of 310 seconds in the pits. #40-Sterling Marlin's crew was second with 328 seconds. #74-Tony Raines crew was third with 488 seconds. For the standing and full press release, see my Pit Crew News and Links page.(4-10-2003)
- Penske Engine in the #19? UPDATE: Hearing that the #19 Dodge that Jeremy Mayfield won the pole with at Talladega had a Penske engine in it, not one from Evernham Motorsports.(4-4-2003)
UPDATE: Give some credit to Penske-Jasper horsepower for Jeremy Mayfield's pole-winning run Friday. Dodge car owners Roger Penske and Ray Evernham have teamed up to improve their efforts at Daytona and Talladega. Evernham gets engine help for Mayfield and Bill Elliott, and Penske gets aerodynamic assistance for Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace. The cooperation worked in qualifying, when Penske's engines helped Mayfield take the pole for Sunday's race while Elliott qualified fifth. Newman was eighth for Penske, but Wallace was 31st. "We both struggled in qualifying at Daytona so we teamed up to work on our restrictor plate program," Evernham said. "We don't have a name for it, just a group of people from both shops who built engines for this race." Like Penske, Evernham builds his own engines. But as a third-year program, his motors lag behind and have been a weakness in the operation - Elliott blew his engine while leading the race at Texas last weekend. "Our motor program is good for a a three-year program," Evernham said. "But we need access to better technology and Roger has access to the experience and technology we need."(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(4-5-2003)
- News to Gaughan: the rumor I had posted yesterday and the past few days; 'Evernham Changes' with a mention of CTS driver Brendan Gaughan as a possible driver for on of Evernham's three cars, brought this response from Gaughan: "I want to go to Winston Cup, we know that," Gaughan said. "But I don't ever want to hope that someone does bad. I'm rooting for all the other Dodge drivers. Right now I'm just worried about getting our team through this Craftsman Truck Series season. We're third in points -- two points out of second -- and that's right where we want to be at this point. I haven't heard anything about the rumor, but it's cool my name's out there. That's a bonus." ...(Las Vegas Review Journal)(3-28-2003)
- #9 Team Fast in the Pits at Bristol: NASCAR says the crew for Evernham Motorsports' #9 Dodge driven by Bill Elliott captured Round 6 of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by Powerade in last Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott spent 223 seconds on pit road to best the Robert Yates crew of Elliott Sadler's #38 Ford, which was second among the participating crews [not the #17 or #24 among others], at 247 seconds. Elliott's pit crew earned $20,000 for the victory. After six races, Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #15 crew for Michael Waltrip leads the contest for the $200,000 season prize with 217 points, followed by DEI's #8 crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 203 points and DEI's #1 team for Steve Park with 199.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-27-2003)
- Evernham Changes? UPDATE 3: hearing some crew changes have occurred on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports teams with the rear tire changers/carriers switching. Hearing there could be other changes coming, including Crew Chief (even though they do not use a 'crew chief' but a CART crew formula), Supposedly #19 Dodge driver, Jermey Mayfield is under some pressure to perform better or a change could be made there.(3-21-2003)
UPDATE: been told by sources that the rear tire changers/carriers have switched teams. Also some sources say that Brendan Gaughan's [#62 in the Truck Series[ name hass come up as an option for Evernham Motorsports if changes are made or they choose to run the third R&D car [#91 Dodge](3-22-2003)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham's teams are among the organizations that are struggling to get up to speed this season, so he's experimenting with the structure of his pit crews. Last week, the rear tire changer/carrier duo of Shane Russellberg and Bob Dowens on Bill Elliott's #9 Dodge swapped spots with Joe Singerland and Eric Wakeland on Jeremy Mayfield's #19. "I've got really good people," Evernham says. "I'm just trying to get them moved around and into the right place. We just hope that the chemistry will be better in areas we were weak." Evernham says those crew members will maintain their regular roles in the shop during the week. Elliott finished 18th and Mayfield 23rd at Bristol.(Sporting News)(3-24-2003)
UPDATE 3: Ray Evernham is not satisfied with Jermey Mayfield's results so far, however that doesn't mean he is about to replace Mayfield or drastically revamp his crew. "I'm extremely happy with the team," Evernham said. "There's no crew chief changes, no driver changes - there's none of that coming. The only thing that's got to change is our performance." The only driver opening at this point will be when Evernham needs one for the third car he will enter in select races [was #91 in 2002]. The car was going to run at Talladega with Hank Parker Jr., but those plans have been put on hold. Parker helps the team with testing.(Winston Cup Scene - Subscription Required to read online)(3-26-2003)
- Gordons' divorce costly and aggravating, Evernham says: Car owner Ray Evernham said his fight to keep his records away from lawyers for Brooke Gordon has already cost him $18,000 - and climbing. The fact that Jeff Gordon's divorce is costing him money doesn't make Evernham real happy. "It's cost me a lot of time and a lot of money and the bottom line is this is between Jeff and Brooke and I don't want to get in the middle of it," Evernham said. Evernham was Gordon's crew chief when the driver won three of his four Winston Cup titles and was also the best man at his wedding to the former Miss Winston model. Brooke Gordon filed for divorce last year and her lawyers have asked to see records from most Winston Cup teams to evaluate Gordon's worth and potential earnings.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(3-22-2003)
- Special Elliott/Mayfield schemes? UPDATE 3: hear there will be some sort of special #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Jermey Mayfield schemes, some sort of special Dodge program, but not sure what or where yet.(2-20-2003)
UPDATE: hearing it could be a Simpson's (TV Show and Jayski Fave) scheme, not sure what for or when.(2-22-2003)
UPDATE 2: not the Simpsons, but a promotion scheme for the movie, "2 Fast 2 Furious".(2-28-2003)
UPDATE 3: been told that the Mayfield/Elliott "2 Fast 2 Furious" diecast program has been canceled by Action and that it probably also means they will not run the promotion on the #9 and #19.(3-20-2003)
- Evernham to sponsor Late Model driver: Pennsylvania/New Jersey racing legend Billy Pauch, a career winner of 596 features, seeks his 11th Hagerstown victory today. Pauch plans to race Friday nights at Big Diamond Speedway near Pottsville, PA and Saturdays at New Egypt, NJ, where he's the defending modified champion and winner of three of the last four titles there. Pauch's son, Billy, a sophomore at Delaware Valley Regional High School, is getting into stock car racing for the first time this year in a big way. Young Pauch, a junior varsity wrestler at Del Val, moves from go-karts and slingshot car racing at Borger's Speedway into a modified. Pauch is teamed with his dad to race at Big Diamond. The Pauches will drive modifieds powered by Dodge engines with Billy in a car sponsored by Ray Evernham, a NASCAR Winston Cup owner.(Express Times)(3-15-2003)
- Crew Chief's fined: NASCAR Winston Cup Series crew chiefs James Ince and Mike Ford were fined $1,000 each for rules violations that occurred during Sunday's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, NASCAR officials announced today. Ince, crew chief for the #10 Valvoline Pontiac of driver Johnny Benson, was fined for an unapproved fuel filler check valve assembly. He was in violation of the following in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book: Section 12-4-Q, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules"; and Section 12-4-A: "Actions detrimental to stock car racing." Ford, crew chief for the #9 Dodge of driver Bill Elliott, was fined for altering the car on pit road after the car had passed template inspection (Section 20-3.12.1) and actions detrimental to stock car racing (Section 12-4-A).(NASCAR PR)(3-12-2003)
- Evernham to build a Chevy: Car owner Ray Evernham plans to build a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in an effort to help his Dodge operation become more competitive. "I feel like we have good equipment, but we're getting ready to build a Chevy so we can see what the difference is," Evernham said Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Through three races, Evernham's drivers, Jeremy Mayfield and Bill Elliott, are 24th and 31st in points, respectively. Mayfield has the only top-10 finish between them, an eighth at Daytona. "What you can do by looking at someone else's car is better know and understand what they have and then find out where your car is better or worse," Evernham said. "If you feel their nose is a little better, you work on front downforce. Everyone says, 'I'm maxed out.' But it seems you can find a little bit more if you work hard enough." Evernham said his organization built a General Motors engine to use as comparison before Dodge debuted in 2001 and hopes to find similar benefits in building the Chevrolet.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-7-2003)
- Special Elliott/Mayfield schemes? UPDATE 2: hear there will be some sort of special #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Jermey Mayfield schemes, some sort of special Dodge program, but not sure what or where yet.(2-20-2003)
UPDATE: hearing it could be a Simpson's (TV Show and Jayski Fave) scheme, not sure what for or when.(2-22-2003)
UPDATE 2: not the Simpsons, but a promotion scheme for the movie, "2 Fast 2 Furious".(2-28-2003)
- Elliott Withdraws UPDATE Vote for the NMPA Most Popular Driver: #9-Bill Elliott is expected to announce today that he's withdrawing his name from the circuit's Most Popular Driver contest. Elliott has won the honor 16 times. So many that the National Motorsports Press Association, which runs the contest that allows fans to pick the winner, already has decided that whenever Elliott retires, the award will be renamed the Bill Elliott Trophy.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
UPDATE: Online voting for this year’s Grands!® Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award will officially open on Thurs, Feb 13th with the launch of www.mostpopulardriver.com. But the site is missing something. Sixteen-time winner Bill Elliott’s name isn’t on the ballot. With Elliott out and the Web site now available, fans should start voting because the 2003 Most Popular Drive Award is anyone’s race. At a press conference this afternoon, Bill Elliott announced that he is removing his name from the ballot for the 2003 season. Fans have voted Elliott the Most Popular Driver more times than any other driver. Last year, he edged out Dale Earnhardt Jr. to mark his 16th victory. Grands! Biscuits is building on the fan enthusiasm for NASCAR and getting the word out about voting. The Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com, is available for Internet voting Thursday, Feb, 13th through Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at 11:59am/ct. Additional voting guidelines are accessible on the Web site. The official Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver of the Year Award trophy will be presented to the winning driver during the NASCAR Winston Cup Awards festivities.(Williams Company PR)(2-12-2003)
- Evernham subpoenaed by Brooke: #9 and #19 car owner Ray Evernham was subpoenaed in Jeff Gordon's divorce case Tuesday, accepting the papers from a sheriff's deputy outside Daytona International Speedway. Brooke Gordon's lawyers want to look at the contracts NASCAR car owners have with their drivers and sponsors to determine what Gordon is worth as a car owner. The four-time Winston Cup champion owns a stake of Hendrick Motorsports. The car owners fought original subpoenas they received over the past month at their home offices, but the lawyers have been trying to serve them during preparations for Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500 to get them to appear in a Florida court. NASCAR turned away a process server attempting to get into the track last week, and Evernham said officials from the sanctioning body asked him to go outside of the track on Tuesday to accept the papers. "NASCAR asked me to do it and to not make a scene about it," Evernham said. "So I did it because I care about this sport, unlike Mrs. Gordon, who is trying to make a circus of the Daytona 500." Evernham, who won three Winston Cup titles as Gordon's crew chief, was the best man at the Gordons' wedding. The subpoena orders Evernham to appear in court this Friday, but he said he would not be showing up. "I have 150 employees to worry about and two race cars to get ready for the biggest event of the year," he said. "I'm not stopping to go to court." Car owner Chip Ganassi said he was not served before he left Daytona on Monday to return to his home in Pittsburgh, but was told a deputy had been looking for him where he had been staying when he first arrived for the race. Roush Racing general manager Geoff Smith said his organization had not received an order to appear in a Florida court.(FoxSports/AP)(2-12-2003)
- Elliott Dirt Trackin': Officials at Golden Isles Speedway announced today that Winston Cup driver, Bill Elliott would be competing at Golden Isles Speedway on February 2nd for the $10,000 to win final leg of the Lucas Oil Products Late Model Triple Crown Series.(Victory Lane Communications)(1-29-2003)
- Elliott Dirt Tracking again: Bill Elliott participated in a private practice session at Golden Isles Speedway [in Waynesville, GA] on January 20th as a test session for his dirt car program. Elliott was joined on the 5/8-mile speed plant by dirt late model star, Ray Cook of Murphy, NC and Golden Isles Speedway owner/promoter Arlene Pittman, who aside from here promotional tasks at several South Georgia racetracks is also a competitor in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series. Elliott’s laps at the oiled dirt oval came as a part of his continuing enjoyment of some seat time in his dirt late model racecar.(Victory Lane Communications)(1-25-2003)
- Evernham Motorsports Changes: Evernham Motorsports announced that several key personnel have assumed new duties within the organization. Effective immediately, Kenny Francis assumes the role of team director. Prior to accepting this position, Francis was race engineer for the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge driven by Bill Elliott. Derek Jones assumes Francis' former duties in addition to his duties as senior engineer for Evernham Motorsports. Dr. Eric Warren, technical director, continues to oversee all engineering aspects related to the Evernham Motorsports Dodge Intrepids. Mike Shiplett assumes the role of lead mechanic for the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge. Shiplett comes to Evernham Motorsports from the #7 Dodge Winston Cup team. Josh Browne assumes the role of race engineer. His responsibilities include supervision of all engineering aspects specific to the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge. "We have a lot of knowledgeable people working at Evernham Motorsports, and we decided to distribute that knowledge a little differently," said Ray Evernham, President and CEO of Evernham Motorsports. "These changes reflect our commitment to bringing the best possible product to the race track for the Dodge Dealers and all of our valued partners. Kenny has been an integral part of the success of our organization, and I know he will continue to do so in his new role. The addition of Mike Shiplett and the transition of Josh to the #19 team solidifies Evernham Motorsports' commitment to using technological based decisions to enhance our on-track performance. We have restructured a little differently than the traditional Winston Cup operation, but this sport is growing in such monumental ways that sometimes traditional ways need to be updated." In 2002, Evernham Motorsports announced that the #19 Dodge team would run under a new management system consisting of a team director, a lead mechanic and a race engineer. The #9 Dodge team assumes this structure as well and remains intact with Mike Ford as the director of operations, Bobby Foley as the lead mechanic with Jones as race engineer for the team.(Golin Harris PR)(1-14-2003)
- Elliott Does Some Dirt Trackin': Bill Elliott, driver of the #9 Dodge in Cup, visited Cleveland Speedway on Tuesday for a private practice session which he said was "mostly for fun." Elliott arrived at the Speedway shortly after noon via helicopter. He ran the 1/3 mile dirt track in two different cars, describing Cleveland Speedway as "fast." Bobby Turner and 17-year-old Bradley Central High School junior Todd Morrow joined Elliott on the track. The two drivers were used to "pace," or compare, times with the NASCAR great. The practice session was kept private so work could be done. While Elliott admitted his main purpose was for entertainment, the dirt track was also good conditioning for the upcoming NASCAR season. Although he rarely gets time to visit them, Elliott said visiting smaller tracks like Cleveland Speedway is a hobby. Elliott's visit to Cleveland was the first since he was a child.(Cleveland Daily Banner)(1-9-2003)
- Dodge engine stuff UPDATE 2: the word is that Dodge's Ray Evernham may be supplementing his own in-house engine operation by signing up for a Penske engine leasing program with Penske's engine man Larry Wallace..(Winston Salem Journal)(8-24-2002)
UPDATE: Larry Wallace may be taking over command of the engine program for Ray Evernham's three teams, according to Detroit sources. Wallace has been the Ford engine builder for years for Rusty Wallace (no relation), but his contract with the Roger Penske team is reported to be up at the end of this season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-25-2002)
UPDATE 2: hearing Larry Wallace has left Penske Racing, no word....yet...on where he many go...Evernham?(12-19-2002)
UPDATE 2: Sources say Larry Wallace, who until recently was chief builder for Penske South, has been approached by Toyota, although that could not be confirmed.(Speed Channel)(1-11-2003)
2002 News
- Siemens to Evernham: Siemens announced their Associate Sponsorship and Technology Partnership with Evernham Motorsports {#'s 9,19,91). "Evernham Motorsports and DaimlerChrysler are a force in racing and bring Siemens the exposure and platform for further development of technologies within NASCAR", said John Dimmerling, director of Corporate Marketing Communications for Siemens. "Racing sponsorship provides a unique opportunity for a company as diverse as Siemens. In addition to brand exposure, NASCAR has been a great place for us to showcase our broad range of products and services, build relations with our customers and discover new business. We are excited about the opportunity to continue this relationship with NASCAR through Ray and his team." For more information: www.usa.siemens.com.(Golin Harris PR)(12-9-2002)
- Most Popular Driver is......Bill Elliott: Continuing his dominance of fan popularity, Bill Elliott edged out fellow racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award for 2002. Elliott and Earnhardt Jr. battled for the leader position in recent months as fans across the country placed more online votes than ever before as part of the only fan-based NASCAR award. Elliott, a 27-year racing veteran who drove for Dodge this season, has won the Most Popular Driver Award more times than any other driver - this marks his 16th victory. "Everyone knows that the fans are the real heart of NASCAR. I owe many thanks to them because my fans have stuck by me and kept me going all these years," said Elliott, a Dawsonville, Ga., native. "I am so fortunate to be part of this great sport and be recognized by this award." A record 3.3 million votes were cast by thousands of NASCAR fans, shattering all voting totals posted in previous years. Earnhardt Jr. actually led much of the season with Elliott's votes coming on strong in the final months. A relatively narrow margin of votes separated Elliott from Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon and 2002 Winston Cup winner Tony Stewart were a distant third and fourth respectively. Rounding out the top 10 (in descending order) was Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, Rusty Wallace and Kevin Harvick. More than 40 drivers received fan votes. Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion, has won NASCAR's two biggest races on the circuit, the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers of all time and was the first Winston Cup driver on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Winston Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it's a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide. Through the years, voters' choices have ranged from the obvious to the surprising. The only driver close to matching Elliott's 16 most popular wins is Richard Petty, who's won nine times. Other past winners have included such notables as Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.(Business Wire via Yahoo), sorry have not seen any vote breakdown for the top 10 and have not seen anything past the top ten listed here.(12-6-2002)
- #9 Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR also issued a fine to Mike Ford, crew chief of the #9 Dodge because team member Phil Gould went onto pit road during the race without a helmet. Ford was fined $2,000 and penalized under Section 9-4-A ("The crew chief assumes the responsibility for the actions of his team members.") and Section 12-17-A3 ("Crew member entered the car servicing area without a helmet")(NASCAR PR)(10-16-2002)
- Earnhardt Jr vs Elliott UPDATE: Word has it that the NASCAR Winston Cup Most Popular Driver Award voting has become a two-man race between Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Elliott trailed in the early going in the voting, which is being held online at nascarpopulardriver.com. However, a surge in voting by fans has pushed Elliott into a near-tie with Earnhardt Jr. Nearly 2,000,000 votes are in, and voting continues until Nov. 17.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(9-25-2002)
UPDATE: An award that began in 1956 has reached a milestone its founders never envisioned. Sitting just shy of two million total votes, the Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award has now received more votes in six months than it has in the rest of its history combined. The highest vote total in any single year prior was 400,000 in 2001. In the meantime, 15-time award winner Bill Elliott has made a major jump in the balloting and the battle between him and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is incredibly close. The two are in a virtual dead heat in the balloting. Jeff Gordon is a close third, followed by Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, Rusty Wallace and Kevin Harvick. NASCAR fans can continue to vote online once per day at www.nascarpopulardriver.com. Voting continues through Nov. 17. The Grands! Biscuits NMPA Most Popular Driver of the Year Award will be presented during the NASCAR Winston Cup Awards Banquet weekend in New York. Several fans have voted at www.nascarpopulardriver.com in record numbers since voting began March 4.(Williams Company PR)(9-27-2002)
- Evernham, Elliott, Mayfield and Atwood in NJ..for fun: It was private playtime for Cup team owner Ray Evernham and his Cup drivers on Thursday [Sept 19th] at New Egypt Speedway, as Evernham, Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield and Casey Atwood spent the day at the central Jersey half-mile, getting down 'n dirty at a specially scheduled Billy Pauch Driving School. "These guys are under a lot of pressure to perform weekly on the Winston Cup circuit and they need a chance to kick back and have some fun," Evernham said of the decision to treat his team racers to a day of driving dirt cars. "I tried to think of something to do for their birthdays, but none of us are golfin' or fishin' kind of guys. This is what they love to do," Evernham concluded, gesturing toward the arsenal of dirt-track equipment Pauch amassed for the occasion. Evernham's group, which was flown into a private airport in Toms River early in the morning, arrived at the speedway to find enough playtoys to make even the most diehard driver drool, from Sprint cars, to Late Models, to Modifieds and more. Pauch, the two-time New Egypt Speedway Modified champ from Frenchtown, NJ, initially gave his celebrity students a tour of the track, showing them the best line to run in his two-seater Late Model school car. Once acclimated, first Elliott, then Mayfield, Atwood and Evernham took turns racing a pair of Pauch's 358 CID school Sprinters, one a Maxim, the other a Gambler chassis. Evernham was a former regular at Wall Stadium's paved track and the old New Egypt asphalt quarter-mile in the 1970s and '80s, Ray has a single 1976 Modern Stock victory at New Egypt in the record books; he also raced to numerous top finishes driving Ruth and Jim Bauma's pavement Modifieds. At Evernham's invitation, the Baumas visited their famous ex-driver during the unpublicized closed-gate school session on Thursday.(Philly News)(9-27-2002)
- Elliott to evaluate things at the end of 2003: #9-Bill Elliott said he will evaluate his performance at the conclusion of next season to determine whether or how much longer he will continue to race in the series. "My deal is I've got one more year on my contract with Ray (Evernham) with a two-year option. We'll run next year and see how I feel and then take it a year at a time," Elliott, 46, said. "Right now, I feel good. I'm healthy. I'm doing what we need to be doing. As long as you can say that, that's another direction you need to go into. I'm just going to take it a year at a time after next year."(ThatsRacin.com)(9-20-2002)
- da Matta beats Elliott: Cristiano da Matta, the runaway points leader in the CART series, was the overwhelming choice for third quarter 2002 Driver of the Year honors. Da Matta, who earned four poles and three victories during the quarter, received 15 of 17 first-place votes and 143 points from a 16-person panel of motorsports writers and broadcasters and a fan vote on ESPN.com. NASCAR’s Bill Elliott, who won two straight races in the third quarter, including the Brickyard 400, was second with one first-place vote and 83 points.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(9-5-2002)
- The Golden Benny: this weeks 'Golden Benny' presented to a crew or driver at each NBC/TNT race by NACCAR Legend Benny Parsons went to #9-Bill Elliott and his team for Elliott performance at Michigan when his transmission kept popping out of gear when he let off the gas, Elliott kept going and finished 22nd, putting the tranny in gear and taking it out of gear a few times a lap.(8-26-2002)
- Dodge motorsports diversity scholarship graduates: Dodge Motorsports announced that the graduating winners of the 2001-2002 Dodge Motorsports Diversity Scholarship program have each earned full-time positions with three Dodge NASCAR race teams. Two students will join Evernham Motorsports' #9 and #19 Dodge-sponsored Cup Series teams, and a third student will join the Ultra Motorsports #2 Dodge Ram team in the Truck Series. The Dodge Motorsports Diversity Program, in its second year of operation, aims to attract, recruit and train minorities for positions within the automotive and motorsports industry.
The three scholarship graduates - Jason Flamer, 22, from Houston, Texas; Ramon Zambrano, 21, from Arlington, Virginia; and David Whippy, 21, from Mangilao, Guam - were selected among the first recipients of full scholarships awarded by the Dodge Motorsports Diversity Program in spring of 2001.. The scholarships were awarded to minority high school seniors or graduates, and provided full-tuition and housing for the 51-week NASCAR-approved training at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston, Texas. The students received training in a broad range of technical disciplines including diagnostic analysis and mechanical and electrical systems.
Jason Flamer graduated from the scholarship program in last June and has already begun working with the #19 Dodge Dealers team of Evernham Motorsports out of its Statesville, NC shop.. He joined the team prior to the Brickyard 400 Winston Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 4. Currently, Flamer is responsible for assembling and tearing down. Jeremy Mayfield's #19 Dodge on a weekly basis. Ramon Zambrano graduated in August, but will report to the #9 Dodge Dealers Intrepid team for the first time on Monday. David Whippy expects to complete his coursework at UTI by October, and will begin working with the #2 Dodge truck team immediately after receiving his diploma. The Dodge Motorsports Diversity Program launched in the first quarter of 2001, providing a seat in the Bobby Hamilton-owned #8 Dodge Motorsports Dodge to African-American race car driver Willy T. Ribbs. Bill Lester acquired the seat of the #8 Dodge Ram for the 2002 season, and is in the midst of his first full-season in NASCAR Racing, ranking second in the CTS Rookie of the Year Standings. In July, Dodge announced eight more minority scholarship winners at Michigan. The 2002-2003 scholarship class will receive full tuition and board to the 57-week training session at the NASCAR Technical Institute campus in Mooresville, N.C.(Golin/Harris PR)(8-20-2002)
- Elliott Dominates the Brickyard 400: #9-Bill Elliott won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his first win at the hallowed track, his 2nd win in a row, 2nd win of 2002 and 43rd career win for Elliott and moves up into 6th in Drivers Points. Elliott became the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 from the front row (started 2nd). By winning last week's race at Pocono and this weeks Brickyard 400, Elliott also scored his first set of back-to-back victories since March 1992. #2-Rusty Wallace finished 2nd, the third time he finished 2nd at the Brickyard 400. The final top ten finishers, caution info, lap leaders, and Jayski Notes on my Brickyard 400 Race Info page
Race Results at: ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(8-4-2002)
- Bill Elliott's future? Like Ricky Rudd, who is also looking toward the final years of a great career, Elliott is pondering what next. "I've really made no concrete decisions," Elliott said. "I've got another year on my contract, with another two-year option after that. Depending on how I feel next year, that will decide what I do. Right now I want to focus on the rest of this season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-2-2002)
- Elliott Scheme: Bill Elliott / Dodge Viper ‘2002 - The promotion surrounding this program is related to the launch of the 2003 real Viper car, which goes on sale to the public October 2002. Dodge will be touring a show car of this paint scheme around the country to miscellaneous dealerships. Elliott will race this special paint scheme October 13th in Charlotte.(6-27-2002)
Image: see an image of the scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(6-29-2002)
- NAPCM Pit Crew of the Week - Pocono: #9-Bill Elliott's Dodge Crew- very good day on pit road (14.9, 15.9, 15.0, 15.1) helped keep Awesome Bill up front till bad luck stepped in. Current Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the Year standings updated weekly at NAPCM website.(6-10-2002)
- Streaky Stuff: Jeremy Mayfield will make career start No. 250 in the MBNA Platinum 400, and if Bill Elliott can finish in the top 10, it would be the 300th such finish of his career. No. 299 was Elliott’s ninth-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600.(Gaston Gazette)(6-1-2002)
UPDATE: Mayfield made his 250th start and Elliott finished 2nd and got the 300th top ten of his career.(6-2-2002)
- Marilyn Monroe scheme? UPDATE 3: hearing #9 Bill Elliott will run a Marilyn Monroe scheme of some sort this season, no idea where or why(1-22-2002)
UPDATE: hearing the scheme will be run at the California Speedway Cup race(1-26-2002)
UPDATE 2: now hearing it will be at Sears Point in June.(5-4-2002)
UPDATE 3: now hearing this scheme has been pushed back to sometime in 2003.(5-10-2002)
- Dawsonville Museum to Open: Beginning Saturday [May 11th], visitors to Dawsonville, GA will find a new, state-of-the-art museum and racing attraction called Thunder Road USA. Inside the $12 million, 40,000-square-foot facility are tributes to racing greats past and present as well as interactive games, a track where visitors can race remote-controlled cars, racings simulators, a theater, gift shop and diner.
Information: Thunder Road USA in Dawsonville, Ga. Go north on Ga. 400 from Atlanta to the intersection of Ga. 53. Go west on Ga. 53 (toward Dawsonville) for about six miles.706-216-7223 or thunderroadusa.com.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(5-10-2002)
- Elliott wants to be left off: [#9] Bill Elliott, perennial winner in the most-popular driver balloting, doesn't want to play any longer and has asked that his name be taken off the ballot. But The National Motorsports Press Association, which conducts the vote, still has his name on there. And fans, some of whom have long kept Elliott at the top of the list, are caught in the middle. Elliott won the award 10 times in a row and has won it 15 times altogether. Last season, he agreed to have his name removed from the ballot as part of an effort to honor the memory of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt. Confusion has come about over how long the driver's name was to stay off the ballot. In the future, likely with the driver's retirement, the most-popular driver trophy - not the award - is expected to carry Elliott's name. As David Poole, president of the NMPA, put it: "Bill's name has been on it so many times, it may as well stay there."(See full story at ThatsRacin.com)(4-11-2002)
- No Rift: Jim Smith said there is no rift between him and Ray Evernham, co-owners of the #7 car driven by Casey Atwood. ''My relationship with Ray is excellent,'' Smith said earlier this week, although he admitted he was not pleased with the team's progress when he discussed the situation with The Tennessean two weeks ago. ''You're never happy when you're not performing up to expectations,'' Smith said, ''but I didn't mean that to be taken as a criticism of Ray. ''He wants Casey to do well just as much as I do.'' (Tennessean)(3-28-2002)
- Elliott tests at Talladega...short track: NASCAR Winston Cup driver Bill Elliott made a visit to the Talladega Short Track Tuesday to test his late-model dirt car against local drivers Staci Holmes and Ted Lackey and legendary short-track driver Red Farmer. Elliott tested for approximately four hours.(Anniston Star)(3-20-2002)
- Marilyn Monroe scheme? UPDATE: hearing #9 Bill Elliott will run a Marilyn Monroe scheme of some sort this season, no idea where or why(1-22-2002)
UPDATE: hearing the scheme will be run at the California Speedway Cup race(1-26-2002)
- Elliott tests a dirt car: Bill Elliot [#9 Dodge Dealer Dodge] arrived by helicopter at Atomic Motor Speedway [Knoxville, TN] on Monday morning [Jan 21st] to test out new motors, a new car, and a new dirt team formed late last year. When asked, Why Dirt Track Racing? Elliott replied, "I turned one lap last year in a GRT Dirt Late Model and I was Hooked, This is the Grass Roots of Racing; Where it all started." When asked, Why Atomic? "I was here in the early seventies with Jody Ridley it was a great race track then and It's even better today." The 2002 Atomic Speedway Season Kicks Off March 29-30 (Easter Weekend) with a Nothing But Speed Weekend! It's the First Annual Karaoke Café Thunder 100 paying 25 thousand to win, 15 hundred to start, in the Super Late Models and 3 thousand to win in the Steel Headed Late Models. A special treat is also on the board for race fans on Saturday Night as the Outlaw Winged Mini Sprints are expected to turn the track faster than the Late Models. The Big Question that still remains is whether the Number 9 of Awesome Bill will be one of the many cars expected to try to turn the high banks of Atomic in hopes of a starting position in Saturday's Thunder 100. When Carson Branum was asked; Will he be back? He smiled in that normal Vestal Fashion and replied, "I can't say for sure, but I can tell you if I find your car parked in my new Helicopter Parking Only on March 29-30th it want be towed, but It probably will be re-located when you return."(see full story and images at the Atomic Motor Speedway Site)(1-26-2002)
- Elliott Iced Out: Former Winston Cup champion Bill Elliott didn’t attend the [Winston] Preview, citing inclement weather near his home in Blairsville, Ga., that prevented him from flying. Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Winston Cup champion, and Jeremy Mayfield completed their scheduled autograph sessions, then pitched in to sign for fans waiting in Elliott’s section of the coliseum.(Fayetteville Observer)(1-20-2002)
- Elliott fast Tuesday but...UPDATE: hearing #9-Bill Elliott posted a lap of 187.052mph, but that the team had the wrong restrictor plate mounted on the intake (sorry, no idea what size). Supposedly the Winston Cup officials had been all over that car after Elliott brought it in(1-15-2002)
UPDATE: Bill Elliott ran a blistering lap at 187.052 mph during Tuesday's test session, more than 4 mph faster than last week's best test speed. But the lap wasn't allowed after it was discovered the team had used last season's restrictor plate. "I'm walking around holding my breath because I'm about to be one less guy here," said team owner Ray Evernham. "I just don't put up with stuff like that. There's no excuse." Last year, plates with a fifteeen-sixteenths-inch openings were used to slow Winston Cup cars. The correct size this season is seventh-eighths of an inch.(That's Racin'), also #81-Earnhardt was third fastest at mid-day with a speed og 181.609mph(1-15-2002)
2001 News
- Congrats: Big Ed Watkins, pit crew coach and jackman of Evernham Motorsports, got engaged to Vonda Duke this Christmas while the couple was vacationing in Flordia.(12-26-2001)
- #9 crew members to #99? Crew members Ryan Buscaglio [Front Tire Carrier], Andy Thurman [Front Tire Changer], Heath Cherry [Rear Tire Carrier] and Marc Jacobs [Jackman] left Bill Elliott’s [#9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge] team for jobs with Jeff Burton’s #99 Ford in 2002(Sporting News), hearing Cherry and Jacobs went to the #41 Ganassi Racing team and driver Jimmy Spencer and that Thurman went to Roush, but to the #97 team(12-24-2001)
- Elliott 4th Quater Man of the Year: Bill Elliott has been selected as the fourth quarter nominee for True Value.s Man of the Year. True Value, the Official Hardware Store of NASCAR, is once again sponsoring the NASCAR True Value Man of the Year. The award is designed to honor drivers, not only for their accomplishments on the track, but for their community service contributions and charitable efforts. Mark Martin, driver of the #6 Pfizer/Viagra Ford, Rick Mast, former driver of the #27 Pontiac and Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Automotive Chevrolet, respectively, were the recipients of the first, second and third quarter nominations. Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion and 15-time winner of the fan-voted Most Popular Driver Award, is a regular contributor to the MD Anderson Research Center in Texas in memory of his nephew, Casey Elliott. The younger Elliott lost his battle with cancer at the age of 21. He is also involved with the Brain Tumor Foundation and has been selected as the grand marshal of Georgia.s Special Olympics opening ceremonies. Elliott meets with children and their families at racetracks throughout the country through the Make-A-Wish program.(NASCAR PR)(11-20-2001)
- Bill Elliott wins at Homestead: #9-Bill Elliott won the Pennzoil Freedom 400 at Homestead, his first win in 226 races (Darlington in the 1994 Southern 500 in the #11 Budweiser Ford) and the first for Ray Evernham as a Team Owner. It was Elliott's 41st career Winston Cup win. #19-Casey Atwood was leading with a few laps to go, but Elliott caught him and Atwood ended up with his best career finish of 3rd, #15-Michael Waltrip finished 2nd. Points leader #24-Gordon finished 28th and 2nd in points #28-Rudd was 21st, so Gordon failed to clinch the Winston Cup Championship this week. Gordon needs to leave Atlanta with a 185 point lead to clinch. See That's Racin' for Sunday's Pennzoil 400 results and Updated Winston Cup points(11-11-2001)
- Elliott after 2002? Speculation continues as to whether 2002 will be Bill Elliott's final year. Elliott says he has "no plans" to retire, but with a line of die-cast cars tracing his career set to be released next year, talk of a "farewell tour" isn't likely to subside. If he is planning on hanging it up, it would be wise not to play poker with Elliott, who contends, "I've got a two-year deal with Ray (Evernham). And (another) two-year option after that. That's what my contract is." But Elliott knows that contracts don't mean much these days. Teammate Casey Atwood also had a long-term deal, but is likely to be driving elsewhere next season.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(11-8-2001)
- Elliott Wins: Bill Elliott started second in a 22-car late model field at the 3/8 mile clay oval Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, GA Friday night October 19 and proceeded to lead all 50 laps in front of a packed house. Elliott led by as much a straightaway at times but the margin of victory was three car-lengths over polesitter David Payne at the checkers as Elliott was pinned behind some cars he was attempting to lap. His dirt late model was white and Friday evening carried the #9 and plus Coca-Cola logos on each quarterpanel. Immediately following Elliott's win, the siren switch was turned on at the Dawsonville Pool Room. The marquee in front of the Dawsonville Pool Room informed those passing through town about Elliott's dirt track win Friday evening.(10-20-2001)
- Elliott in 2002? UPDATE 2: Bill Elliott remains one of the question marks in the Winston Cup garage. He's under contract for another year with car owner Ray Evernham, who insists that Elliott will be back with the Dodge team next season. However, there are strong reports that Elliott may be setting up his own satellite shop and team in Dawsonville, GA, next season. A complicating factor is Jeremy Mayfield, who appears in the running for a ride with Evernham next season. According to sources close to Mayfield, he and Evernham had long been talking about teaming in 2003, when Mayfield's contract with Roger Penske was scheduled to end, and the two have just moved that whole program up a year now. However it seems unlikely that Evernham would be prepared to expand to a three-car operation next season.(Winston Salem Journal), and also hearing Mayfield will replace Casey Atwood in the #19 Dodge(10-14-2001)
UPDATE: Evernham's plans for next season remain unclear. He is expected to sign Mayfield, probably this week; but will Evernham expand to a three-car team with Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood, or will one of those two of his drivers move elsewhere?(Winston Salem Journal)(10-15-2001)
UPDATE 2: sources tell me that BOTH Elliott and Atwood will drive for Evernham Motorsports in the Cup series in 2002. If Mayfield goes with Dodge, it'll be a 3rd Evernham team or a single car operation (#7?) with help from Evernham Motorsports(10-16-2001)
- Elliott gets a present: Bill Elliott, who turned 46 on Monday, got a thrill ride as a birthday present from his car owner Ray Evernham. Evernham presented Elliott with a certificate for Dale Blaney's Outlaw Driving Experience. Blaney, a former sprint car racer who now drives the #93 on the Winston Cup Series, also runs a company that offers rides in sprint cars. Evernham said a few laps in a sprint car should help Elliott with his new hobby --- driving a dirt Late Model.(AJC)
(10-12-2001)
- Elliott Start #650 Reposted Labonte #700: #9-Bill Elliott will make career start #650 on Sunday at Dover Downs. Among active drivers, only Ricky Rudd (721), Dave Marcis (758 - this is modern era, Marcis had 880 total Cup starts) and Terry Labonte (699) have more starts. Elliott made his first NASCAR Winston Cup start at Rockingham on Feb. 29, 1976. He qualified 34th and finished 33rd in that event. Since then, Elliott has won 50 poles, 40 races and more than $26 million. He's currently 13th in the NASCAR Winston Cup Standings in his first year driving for Dodge and car owner Ray Evernham. The 45-year-old veteran is one of only two drivers with no DNFs this season. He's moved from 19th to 13th in the standings in the past seven races since his 21st-place finish at NHIS on July 22, 2001(Golin/Harris PR), #5-Terry Labonte is scheduled to make his 700 th career Winston Cup start at Dover Downs on Sunday(9-11/17-2001)
- Most Popular Voting has started UPDATE 2 Elliott Pulls Classy Move: Voting has opened for the annual NASCAR "Most Popular Driver" award. The voting is being conducted on the National Motorsports Press Association’s Web site, www.motorsportspress.com, for the second year in a row. Fans without internet access via a computer may simply mail the vote on a postcard to NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, PO Box 500, Darlington, SC, 29540.(Gaston Gazette)(8-4-2001)
UPDATE: Race fans can now cast their vote for the 2001 Most Popular Driver Award for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. For the second year, voting will be conducted on the World Wide Web at the National Motorsports Press Association's Internet site - www.motorsportspress.com - in cooperation with www.thatsracin.com . Fans may also vote by sending the name of the driver they wish to vote for on a postcard to NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, PO Box 500, Darlington, SC, 29540. Any driver who has attempted to qualify for one or more Winston Cup races in the 2001 is eligible to receive votes. Bill Elliott won the award last year for the 10th straight season and for the 15th time in his career. Dale Earnhardt was second, with Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte rounding out the top five. Elliott has won the award every year since 1984 except for 1989 and 1990, when Darrell Waltrip won it. This year's balloting will continue until Nov. 18, the scheduled day for the final race of the 2001 Winston Cup season at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The award will be presented in New York City on Nov. 30 in conjunction with activities at the Winston Cup Awards Banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.(That's Racin'), NOTE: Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500 in February, remains eligible for this year's award, an award he coveted.(8-5-2001)
UPDATE 2: Bill Elliott, voted the National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver for the past 10 years running and 15 times total, has removed his name from the 2001 award ballot in honor of Dale Earnhardt. "Being voted the most popular driver for 15 years is certainly an honor," said Elliott, at Watkins Glen preparing for Sunday's Global Crossing @ the Glen. "But, this is a much different year than others. Dale Earnhardt never won this award, and I think it would be a tremendous honor for the Earnhardt family to receive it this year. "I certainly don't want to stand in the way of his family receiving this award," Elliott said. Elliott is the first driver in the history of the award to remove his name from the balloting process. "Over the past decade Bill Elliott's fans have made his name synonymous with the award," said David Poole, who covers motorsports for The Charlotte Observer and is president of the NMPA. "Bill's decision to remove his name from voting is another example of why he has won this award so often. Given how loyal his fans have been over the years, I can't help but believe they will understand Bill's reasons for making this gesture." NASCAR officials applauded Elliott's decision. "Bill's decision to step aside in the voting demonstrates just why he has been such a popular driver for so many years," said Mike Helton, NASCAR president.(That's Racin')(8-10-2001)
- Evernham Motorsports Schemes: Evernham Motorsports, both the #9 and #19 cars will feature an agressive new paint scheme to help Dodge announce the promotion of its bold, new line of Dodge Ram Trucks and its new slogan, "Grab Life by the Horns."(Golin Harris PR), see an image on the Paint Scheme Gallery(8-15-2001)
- McDonald's on the Move? UPDATE 3: The future of McDonalds' Winston Cup sponsorship is apparently on the line (currently on the #96 PPI Motorsports Ford with driver Andy Houston), according to NASCAR sources, with #9-Bill Elliott possibly in line to put the golden arches back on his uniform once again. And there are reports that Dodge's dealers association may only be backing one of Ray Evernham's two stock-car teams next season(Winston Salem Journal)(7-6-2001)
UPDATE: The Dodge Dealers might be picking up some primary sponsors on Ray Evernham's team. According to a garage source, don't be surprised if McDonald's rejoins Bill Elliott as his sponsor, and Matt Kenseth comes aboard with assistance from his long-time backer, DeWalt(Sporting News), don't know anymore on the DeWalt/Kenseth thing(7-9-2001)
UPDATE 2: Despite published reports to the contrary, Dodge Dealers will remain the primary sponsor of both Ray Evernham Motorsports Winston Cup teams next season with drivers Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood, said Dave Elshoff, senior manager of motorsports operations for Dodge. Elshoff said no changes are expected to the primary sponsors of either team. McDonald's has been rumored to want to return to Elliott's team and other reports have said the Dodge Dealers wanted to scale back their involvement. Both are untrue, Elshoff said. Elshoff said the Dodge Dealers have a five-year commitment to sponsor both Evernham-owned teams.(That's Racin')(7-14-2001)
UPDATE 3: Bill Elliott--who was sponsored by McDonald's for the previous six years, when he owned his own car--denied rumors he and the fast-food franchise are getting back together. ''As far as them coming back to sponsor me, there's been no dialogue, no conversation, no anything,'' said Elliott, who began driving for owner Ray Evernham's new Dodge program this year. ''[The rumors] really surprise me. They chose to leave me. I don't know why they'd want to come back.''(Chicago Sun Times)(7-15-2001)
- Evernham own Chassis: Ray Evernham says his team plans to build its own chassis in the future. That will happen after a new shop is built. Evernham says construction of a 42,000-square-foot building next to his race shop should begin in about two or three months(Racing Extra)(7-15-2001)
- Hammer to Evernham? UPDATE: hearing former ST Motorsports crew chief (BGN #59) Phil Hammer is taking a position with Evernham Motorsports. Hammer used to work at Hendrick Motorsports with Evernham(6-8-2001)
UPDATE - Evernham Motorsports Change: Gene Patient, Chief Fabricator at Evernham Motorsports has parted ways with the team. Forner Cup/BGN Crew Chief will take over the position. Patient is currently weighing out a few options before deciding where to go next(6-29-2001)
- Announcement UPDATE Spiderman Schemes for Elliott/Atwood: There will be a web launch/announcement on www.4adodge.com today at 7:00pm/et and at the same time goracing.com will also be announcing a new special paint scheme with graphics and a press release(6-27-2001)...spiderman maybe?
Spiderman?/REPOST: hearing the #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Casey Atwood Dodge's will run a Spiderman (the movie) paint scheme at Charlotte, not sure if it's in May or Oct(4-3-2001)
and the UPDATE: found the web launch about the two spiderman cars at www.4adodge.com but no announcement, but it is about #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Casey Atwood driving Spiderman paint schemes at the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway on Oct 7th. See images of the cars on my Paint Scheme Gallery and/or get wallpapers at www.4adodge.com(6-28-2001)
- #9 Crew Chief may Miss Pocono UPDATE: Bill Elliott may be without his crew chief for the Pocono 500. Mike Ford flew home to North Carolina Thursday to be with his sick father. It was not known late Friday evening whether Ford would return for Sunday's race. Serving in Ford's place during Friday's qualifying was team owner (and former #24 crew chief) Ray Evernham(AJC)
UPDATE: it was mentioned during FX's Happy Hour coverage that Mike Ford will be at the track Sunday and call the shots for Elliott on Sunday. Evernham will once again spot for Elliott(6-16-2001)
- Hammer to Evernham? hearing former ST Motorsports crew chief (BGN #59) Phil Hammer is taking a position with Evernham Motorsports. Hammer used to work at Hendrick Motorsports with Evernham(6-8-2001)
- Another Evernham Motorsports Change? UPDATE: hearing Ed Guzzo, VP and General Manager at Evernham Motorsports has left the team(5-17-2001)
UPDATE: Eddie d'Hondt, team manager of Evernham's #9, was released Tuesday, and vp/general manager Ed Guzzo stood down from his position Thursday. Guzzo, a close associate of Evernham's since his days with Jeff Gordon's #24 team, remains with the organization for the time being, Evernham said. Evernham would not be specific about the circumstances around d'Hondt and Guzzo. "I had some hard decisions I had to make this week," he said. "Ed Guzzo, that was just a mutual decision on both of our parts. Actually, Ed is still employed by me. He's just taking a leave of absence.(SpeedVision)(5-19-2001)
- Evernham Motorsports Changes: Team Manager Eddie D'Hondt and Evernham Motorsports have parted ways(PRN's Garage Pass) AND Eddie D'Hondt, team manager at Evernham Motorsports, will leave the team to pursue other opportunities. "Evernham Motorsports is restructuring its staff as it moves from a developmental program to ongoing motorsports operations," the team said in a statement. "As part of these changes, we are eliminating the position of team manager."(That's Racin')(5-16-2001)
- Evernham's Crew Helps: Eight members of Ray Evernham’s Winston Cup operation have signed on to handle pit stops for rookie Richard Mitchell in the May 19 ARCA race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway(Gaston Gazette)(5-14-2001)
- Evernham Hires Pit Crew Coach: Ray Evernham now the owner of Evernham Motorsports, a first-year Dodge team for drivers for #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Casey Atwood has a new pit crew coach – Terra Flynn, a former classmate at Raritan High School in Hazlet, N.J., who recently completed a distinguished career as a Navy Seal. "When I was putting this deal together, I knew I needed someone to train and motivate our team," Evernham said. "I thought he would be really good if I could teach him the racing side." As the title implies, a pit crew coach recruits and trains the pit crew. Flynn has shared those duties with the more experienced Ed Watkins, who doubles as the jackman on the Atwood's #19 car.(Dallas Morning News)(4-12-2001)
AND also see a story about this from a few weeks ago at Winners Magazine: High School Reunion - Ray Evernham’s New Pit Coach - Lessons From The Navy SEALS by Claire B. Lang(great shot of Ray Evernham)(4-13-2001)
- Wind Tunnel stuff: hearing the #9 and #19 Dodge teams are testing at the Lockheed wind tunnel in Maretta, GA today and that the #96 McDonald's Ford was at the wind tunnel in Ottawa, Canada on Monday or Tuesday(4-4-2001)
- Spiderman? hearing the #9-Bill Elliott and #19-Casey Atwood Dodge's will run a Spiderman (the movie) paint scheme at Charlotte, not sure if it's in May or Oct(4-3-2001)
- Some Paint Scheme Rumors: #66-Blue Light Special; #9 Bill Elliott "Charlotte.Special"; #19 Casey Atwood "Charlotte.Special"; #31 Mike Skinner "Richmond 400 Special". For some past news and rumors, see my Paint Scheme News Page(3-24-2001)
- Elliott at Michigan UPDATE: hearing #9-Bill Elliott will have a special paint scheme at Michigan in June on his Dodge(3-15-2001)
UPDATE: hearing the scheme will feature Muhammed Ali as a movie will be coming out soon starring Wil Smith and Dodge is doing some type of promotion with it(3-16-2001)
- Elliott Honored: Two-time Daytona 500 winner and 15-time National Motorsports Press Association "Most Popular Driver" Bill Elliott was honored by the March of Dimes with a special "Race Car Driving Legend Award" Tuesday night at its National Athletic Awards ceremony in Detroit. Elliott has been making headlines lately not only for his performance on the track, but also for leading Dodge's return to NASCAR Winston Cup racing. Last year, he announced his decision to join legendary crew chief Ray Evernham as the veteran driver with rookie Casey Atwood in the new Dodge Dealers Intrepid R/T race cars. Elliott has long been recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He has been involved with charities such as Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation(Golin/Harris PR)(3-7-2001)
- Dodge Clock: The infamous Dodge countdown clock was broken with a sledgehammer by Ray Evernham on Saturday morning at Daytona International Speedway. The clock was started at 500 days and was set to end with the start of today's 500. Evernham, who guided Dodge back into Winston Cup, got the jump on the calendar(Speed Magazine)(2-18-2001)
- Evernham News? UPDATE: hearing that Evernham Motorsports engine builder, Ron Vacarro, has left the team(2-3-2001)
UPDATE: from a Dodge/Evernham Teleconference Transcript: "We started a new engine shop this year, and
Ron Vacarro did a great job helping me put that together. As we got closer to getting ready to race, Ron and I decided together that it would be best to make a change. Ron is going to be opening up his own business down in Georgia. We're going to go off in our own direction. Starting an engine shop and people say why do you want to start a team and you're going to do two teams and do development for Dodge and start an engine shop, too. I felt the only way to build a program that would be on a solid foundation two to three years from now or five years from now, if you don't do your own engines, sooner or later you're going to have to stop and do them. We decided to bite the bullet now and start our own engine program, knowing we'd have to fight hard and we are. I've got to tell you honestly, I'm very, very proud of the people that are over there doing that program. They have done a great, great job. They've not only done a great job getting plenty of engines done for us, they've done a great job making parts and pieces. You'll see a lot of Evernham Performance parts and pieces on other peoples engines, so I'm very proud of them. I feel like the job Dodge paid us to do last year was help develop a car and an engine where for all of their teams, and I feel like we've done that. If we go to Daytona and there are other Dodge teams that are faster than mine, I think that proves that. Actually it was a mutual parting of the ways, and that happened about two or three weeks ago. We haven't actually replaced him (Vaccaro) yet. I think Bill Davis' group is looking really good. I'm very proud of them. They've been very strong, and they've done a great
job."(2-4-2001)
- Evernhams New Digs: Evernham Motorsports has moved into the Statesville, N.C., shop formerly owned by Bill Elliott, the driver of Ray Evernham's #9 team(Winston Cup Scene)(1-11-2001)
2000 News
- Most Popular....Elliott, again UPDATE: By a 2-to-1 margin, Bill Elliott is this year's Most Popular Driver over Dale Earnhardt. It's Elliott's 10th consecutive award and 15th in the past 17 years. Darrell Waltrip interrupted the run in 1989 and 1990(Daily Press)(11-21-2000)
UPDATE: For the 10th straight year and for the 15th time in his career, Bill Elliott is the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver Award for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion, received 38.8 percent of more than 280,000 votes cast this year in balloting conducted by the NMPA. Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time Winston Cup champion, finished second in the voting with 16.2 percent of the vote. Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and 2000 Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte rounded out the top five in the vote. David Poole presented this year's award at the annual Myers Brothers Breakfast that kicked off Friday's activities at the Winston Cup Awards Banquet. The breakfast was held at the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The Waldorf's Grand Ballroom is the site of the banquet Friday evening(ESPN 8:30pm/et). Elliott has won the award every year since 1991. He also won it five straight years from 1984 until 1988 until Darrell Waltrip interrupted his reign by winning the 1989 and 1990 awards. Fifty-eight drivers received at least one vote and 20 different drivers getting at least 1,000 votes(That's Racin'). NOTE: this is only vote info I have seen, have not seen the top 10 or 20 or what the vote totals were(12-8-2000)
- Elliott Honored: Bill Elliott was presented with the "Spirit of Ford" award yesterday. Elliott is ending his 25-year career with the manufacturer to move to Ray Evernham's #9 Dodge team next season(Times-Dispatch)(11-20-2000)
- Elliott OK: After crashing on Sunday, #94-Bill Elliott said he planned to have X-rays taken of his left knee. Elliott broke his left kneecap in a home accident last month. Elliott decided not to have X-rays taken after returning home. He reported a little swelling and stiffness but stated that otherwise he felt fine(Roanoke Times)(9-20-2000)
- Green to Stand by: Bill Elliott plans to run the entire at Richmond tonight but will have David Green standing by as a relief driver just in case(NOL)(9-9-2000)
- Elliott to Race at RIR: After missing the last two Cup races due to a fractured left kneecap, Bill Elliott will practice on Friday in hopes of attempting to qualify for this weekend's Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond. Elliott suffered a multi-fracture of his left kneecap in a home accident, Aug. 22, in Blairsville, Ga. He had surgery the same day at HEALTHSOUTH Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala. The 90-minute surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews, who inserted three steel pins and a steel wire to repair the fractured kneecap. The injury forced Elliott to miss Bristol and Darlington. David Green drove the McDonald's #94 Ford in Elliott's absence(McDonalds PR)(9-7-2000)
- Green to drive the #94 at Bristol: BGN regular David Green will drive the #94 McDonalds McFlurry Taurus in tonight's goracing.com 500 at Bristol. Green will substitute for owner/driver Bill Elliott, who is recovering from a broken kneecap he suffered in an accident at his home in Blairsville, GA on Tuesday (Aug. 22) afternoon. The last time Elliott missed Winston Cup race was the MBNA Gold 400 in Dover, DE. on Sept. 20, 1998. He missed that race to attend his father's funeral. The last time injury sidelined Elliott was in the Goody's 500 at
Bristol in Aug. 1996. He missed seven races due to a broken left thighbone (femur) he suffered in a racing accident at Talladega on April 29th of that year. Green will start 26th(McDonalds Racing PR)(8-26-2000)
- Elliott Injured? UPDATE 3: hearing that Bill Elliott, driver of the #94 McDonalds Ford, injured his left knee/leg in an accident at home, no word on how or if it will affect his status for the race at Bristol and still waiting to confirm the situation. Also hearing that Ray Evernham said on the radio this morning that Elliott broke his kneecap in a farming accident and had to have surgery last night and that he may miss the Bristol race. From what I hear now, is that Elliott 'shattered' his knee cap and is having surgery today, Bristol is pretty much out of the picture for him, NO idea of a sub yet
UPDATE: Elliott underwent successful surgery Tuesday night to repair a fractured left kneecap and will likely miss Saturday's race at Bristol. Elliott reportedly tripped and fell at his Blairsville, GA, home. Elliott is expected to be released from the hospital sometime Thursday. A final decision on whether Elliott will drive this weekend, use a relief or replacement driver will be made once Elliott has met again with his doctor(That's Racin')
UPDATE 2: A decision on whether Elliott will drive in this weekend's Winston Cup race at Bristol will
be determined over the next few days. Bill Elliott Racing has secured the services of BGN regular David Green as the substitute driver during Friday's practice and qualifying sessions. If Elliott is not ready to return to action, Green will also drive the #94 McDonald's Ford car in the race(McDonald's Racing PR)(8-23-2000)
UPDATE 3 and McFlurry: Bill Elliott, who fractured his left kneecap in a home accident in Blairsville, Ga. Tuesday afternoon, was discharged today (8-24) from HEALTHSOUTH Medical Center in Birmingham where he had surgery Tuesday evening. No decision has been made on whether Elliott will drive the #94 McDonald's Ford in this weekend's (Aug. 26) Winston Cup race at Bristol. ALSO: The McDonald's #94 Ford Taurus will have a different look at this weekend's race. The blue, red, yellow and white paint scheme on the McDonald's car
will showcase McDonald's popular dessert item - the McFlurry. The creamy treat features McDonald's soft serve ice cream mixed with a customer's choice of four core toppings -- crushed M&Ms, Nestle Crunch, Oreo and Butterfinger. The McFlurry Ford Taurus will also run at Dover in Sept(McDonald's Racing PR) see an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery(8-24-2000)
- Elliott Anniversary and Paint Scheme: Bill Elliott will celebrate his 25 years in NASCAR Winston Cup racing at the track that has created as many fond memories as any other on the circuit. During Sunday's (Aug.
20) NASCAR Winston Cup event at Michigan Speedway, Elliott will drive a #94-McDonald's special edition red, yellow and silver Ford Taurus that displays his 25th season logo on each side panel. Elliott is the winningest active driver at the track with seven victories. He is third on the all-time win list for Michigan Speedway. He has more pole positions (7) at Michigan than any other active driver. He is second on the all-time list. He has led more laps (872) at the two-mile track than any other active driver. Sunday's race will be Elliott's 613th career Winston Cup start. His career took its green flag on Feb. 29, 1976 in the Carolina 500 at North Carolina Speedway. He drove a powder blue Ford Gran Torino with only one sponsor - Dahlonega Ford, a dealership in Dahlonega, Ga., that was owned by his late father, George Elliott. He qualified 34th, finished 33rd and went home with a $640 check(McDonalds Racing PR)(8-17-2000)
- Elliott to Dodge? UPDATE 2: Ernie that is. Engine builder Ernie Elliott, Bill's brother, who builds Ford engines for the #'s 94, 11 and 9 teams, will supposedly build Dodge engines in 2001 for the Ganassi Cup team (#01(was 42) and #40) and possibly the #92(is now #9) Melling team. Supposedly Elliott is building a new shop in the Charlotte area but will keep the current Georgia shop. No word on if Elliott will still build Ford engines for the #11 Brett Bodine team. Bill Elliott will be driving for Ray Evernham in 2001 who has his own Dodge engine dept(7-14-2000)
UPDATE: A shakeup in the engine department is expected within the team that Chip Ganassi recently purchased(SABCO #01 and #40), and if Ganassi does have Sterling Marlin in Dodges next season -- a move that some in the garage are calling "a done deal" -- Ernie Elliott could be the man building Marlin's Dodge motors(PitNow)
UPDATE 2: hearing that the engine department at Sabco/Ganassi was told by Ganassi last Wednesday that at the end of the year the engine program will desolve and that everyone in that department was offered a job within the organization. Look for announcements at Indy concerning 2001 about the team(7-24-2000)
- Elliott to Dodge? Ernie that is. Engine builder Ernie Elliott, Bill's brother, who builds Ford engines for the #'s 94, 11 and 9 teams, will supposedly build Dodge engines in 2001 for the Ganassi Cup team (#01(was 42) and #40) and possibly the #92(is now #9) Melling team. Supposedly Elliott is building a new shop in the Charlotte area but will kewp the current Georgia shop. No word on if Elliott will still build Ford engines for the #11 Brett Bodine team. Bill Elliott will be driving for Ray Evernham in 2001 who has his own Dodge engine dept(7-14-2000)
- McDonald's to Stay: McDonald's officials yesterday denied reports they will drop all NASCAR sponsorships at the end of the season. Curretnly they are on the #94 Cup car and the #97 BGN car(PitNow)(6-10-2000)
- McFlurry Scheme? hearing #94-Bill Elliott will run a McFlurry (a McDonald's desert) later in the 2000 season(5-29-2000)
- Lowe’s Motor Speedway Testing Notes III: Bill Elliott’s team utilized a separate pit box filled with sophisticated computers and related diagnostic equipment throughout the two-day Winston Cup test. Interestingly, the box sported Evernham Motorsports logos(LMS PR)(5-10-2000)
- Elliott #600: #94-Bill Elliott should make his 600th Winston Cup start at Talladega(SpeedVision)(4-9-2000)
- Evernham Announcement -- It's Official: Ray Evernham is ready to announce at least one of his drivers this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. And he's preparing for a major media event at Homestead in three weeks, putting his first NASCAR prototype Dodge on the track(PitNow)(3-5-2000)
UPDATE: Ray Evernham is scheduled to announce his first driver, expected to be Bill Elliott, for his Dodge racing team at a news conference Friday March 10th at 9:35am/et at the Atlanta Motor Speedway(That's Racin')(3-6/10-2000)
UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham named 1988 Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliott to drive for one of his two Dodge Intrepid teams in 2001, but get this, he will be in the familiar car #9. The driver for the second Evernham Motorsports entry, car #19, will be announced at a later date. Also moving to Evernham Motorsports with Elliott will be key members of his current leadership at Elliott Racing, most notably general manager Eddie D’Hondt and car chief Mike Ford(NOL) no word on what number Melling Racing will switch to in 2001 and the #9 by the way: It's the same number Elliott drove to the NASCAR Winston Cup title while driving for Melling Racing from 1982 to 1991 and in which he got 34 of his 40 race wins, the other 6 were when Elliott drove the #11 for Junior Johnson from 92-94. Also from That's Racin' - As part of Elliott's move to the Dodge organization, he will become a part owner in the #9 team and Evernham will purchase Elliott's current team and all its assets(that means Owners Points and Provisionals for 2001, if needed, plus the Past Champ Provisional(3-10-2000)
- Evernham UPDATE: Ray Evernham is ready to announce at least one of his drivers this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. And he's preparing for a major media event at Homestead in three weeks, putting his first NASCAR prototype Dodge on the track(PitNow)(3-5-2000) -- UPDATE: Ray Evernham is scheduled to announce his first driver, expected to be Bill Elliott, for his Dodge racing team at a news conference Friday at 9:35am/et at the Atlanta Motor Speedway(That's Racin')(3-6-2000)
- Elliott, Dodge? UPDATE: hearing that Bill Elliott may make his Dodge announcement at Atlanta(2-17-2000) --UPDATE: Official confirmation that Bill Elliott will be driving on of Ray Evernham's Dodges in 2001 is expected to come next weekend. Evernham said Friday that there is an announcement planned for next weekend at Atlanta about at least one of the drivers for his two Dodge teams next season. The Atlanta track is Elliott's home track. Evernham said it's possible he could announce both drivers next week, but wouldn't commit to that. He said he would very much like to talk to Casey Atwood after Rick Hendrick said last week that Evernham would be free to talk to the young driver(That's Racin')(3-4-2000)
- Dodge Drivers UPDATE: the Car and Truck Buzz is reporting: A source close to Dodge Motorsports reports that Ray Evernham has signed both of his drivers for the 2001. While he declined to name the two drivers, he did tell Car and Truck that details are being ironed out and that the announcement will be made soon. Probably sometime in mid March or early April. So who are they? The Buzz is that Bill Elliot will definitely be Evernham's #1 driver. Part of the deal will be the purchase of Elliot's team, and the merging of his crew into the Evernham operation.(Note: allowing the use of Elliott's Champ prov and team owners point standings). Casey Atwood is the name most often mentioned to fill the other seat at Evernham Motorsports. The catch is a clause in Ray's contract release agreement with Hendrick racing that specifically forbids Ray from hiring Atwood. The Car and Truck Buss has heard that the problem has ben solved the old-fashioned way, i.e., Evernham struck a financial arrangement with Hendrick to compensate for the "loss" of a driver some have called the "next Jeff Gordon." Car and Truck Buzz has not been able to confirm this, but it sounds likely(Car and Truck Buzz) AND from the Tennessean: Rick Hendrick yesterday said he would not interfere if Ray Evernham wants to offer a driving job to Nashville's Casey Atwood. "That's great news," said Atwood's father, Terry, who plans to contact Evernham and begin negotiations "as soon as possible." See rest of the story at the Tennessean(2-26-2000) -- UPDATE: TNN's Raceday reports that the yop contenders for the 'young' Dodge driver are: Atwood, Jay Sauter, Stacy Compton and Greg Ray(IRL Champ)(TNN Raceday)(2-27-2000)
- Engine Changes: the #94-Bill Elliott and #55-Kenny Wallace teams changed engines early Sunday morning. Elliott's team found metal pieces in theirs(TNN Preview Show) winner #18-Bobby Labonte also changed an engine Sunday morning(2-27-2000)
- Elliott, Dodge? Ford? UPDATE 3: hearing that Bill Elliott may make his Dodge announcement at Atlanta(2-17-2000) --UPDATE: As for the ongoing speculation that he'll be driving a Dodge for Ray Evernham, Elliott finally had a substantive comment. "I'm in a Ford, man," he said firmly. See full story at the Dallas Morning News(2-18-2000) -- UPDATE 2: TNN's Raceday reports that Ray Evernham will probably name Bill Elliott as his veteran driver for one of his Dodge teams at Atlanta in March and may introduce the 'young' driver there as well. So far the rumored driver have been Casey Atwood(but published stories say no) another rumor has Jay Sauter as the driver(2-20-2000) -- UPDATE 3: This weeks NASCAR Winston Cup Scene has a story that says "Elliott Will Drive For Evernham in 2001" and it likely will be announced at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. Evernham will buy Elliott's team and keep some of the crew and employees. In the story neither party confirm or deny it and sources close to Ford says Elliott is close to signing(WCS pg 86)(2-24-2000)
- Bill Elliott 25th: In effort to lighten up the amount of text posted on the main page, I will start posting the Press Releases I get on their own page. The first one even has an image, of Bill Elliott in front of his Ford Torino before his first Winston Cup start at Rockingham. This Sunday will mark Elliott's 25 year Winston Cup Anniversary. See the full story and image at PR - Bill Elliott's 25th. Still working on the logistics of the PR section, may be a few days(2-22-2000)
- Jarrett and the garage UPDATE: been getting this question: Why was Jarrett's team allowed in the garage late/early to work on the #88, isn't that unfair? Speed Magazine answers: Although there were questions about Jarrett's crew staying late in the NASCAR garage Saturday and getting in the NASCAR garage early Sunday, it is considered normal practice. NASCAR director of operations Kevin Triplett said Jarrett's team was not given any extra benefits that other NASCAR teams wouldn't have received if they had wrecked in practice the day before a race -- UPDATE: Bill Elliott's team also stayed late and came in early as they had to fix the #94 Ford due to damage from the same incident(2-21-2000)
- Elliott, Dodge? Ford? hearing that Bill Elliott may make his Dodge announcement at Atlanta(2-17-2000) --UPDATE: As for the ongoing speculation that he'll be driving a Dodge for Ray Evernham, Elliott finally had a substantive comment. "I'm in a Ford, man," he said firmly. See full story at the Dallas Morning News(2-18-2000) -- UPDATE 2: TNN's Raceday reports that Ray Evernham will probably name Bill Elliott as his veteran driver for one of his Dodge teams at Atlanta in March and may introduce the 'young' driver there as well. So far the rumored driver have been Casey Atwood(but published stories say no) another rumor has Jay Sauter as the driver(2-20-2000)
- Wind Tunnel Testing: hearing Bill Elliott's #94 team will be testing at the Langley Full Scale Wind Tunnel, Hampton, VA on Feb 7th(1-26/2-7-2000)
- Bill Elliott News: the Bill Elliott-driven McDonald's Ford Taurus team will be managed by a "communication triangle," replacing the conventional crew chief role. The trio of Kevin Cram (performance enhancement director), Mike Ford (car chief), and Troy Raker (engineer) will jointly make decisions regarding the setup, chassis, tuning and overall performance of the #94 McDonald's Ford. The three Drive-Thru Crew members are new to Bill Elliott Racing and were hired since the end of the 1999 season. In his role as performance enhancement director for Bill Elliott Racing, Cram will oversee the production of the #94 Fords and will direct communication - both within the Statesville, N.C. shop and at the race track with Elliott. Cram, 32, joined Bill Elliott Racing from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he was the crew chief of Stacy Compton's Impact Motorsports truck. He also served as the assistant crew chief in 1996 and 1997 of Ron Hornaday, Jr.'s truck, owned by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. As car chief, Ford will oversee the overall construction and performance of the No. 94 Ford. Ford, 29, has been working on the NASCAR circuit for 11 years. Last year, he worked for Robert Yates Racing as the suspension/brake specialist and jackman for Dale Jarrett's Winston Cup championship team. Raker, 35, will apply his technological expertise as engineer for Bill Elliott Racing. In addition, he will oversee fuel strategies on race day. Raker previously worked with Bud Moore Engineering, Ford Motor Company and most recently Rudd Performance Motorsports. Ernie Elliott, Inc. will continue to provide the powerplants for Bill Elliott Racing. Tony Satanicola, a respected engine builder who spent many years with Cale Yarborough, will work with Ernie Elliott on engine building techniques and will act as the on-site engine tuner for the #94 team(DMF Communications)(1-28-2000)
- Action/Elliott: Action Performance Companies announced that it has signed a licensing and endorsement agreement with former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary of driving in the Winston Cup series. Under the terms of the contract, Action Performance obtains the rights to license and distribute a complete line of licensed merchandise including die-cast collectible cars, apparel items and other memorabilia for Elliott, driver and owner of the #94 McDonald's Winston Cup Ford through 2000(Yahoo Biz)(1-24-2000)
- Elliott Buys Cales Engine Shop: Ernie Elliott, Bill's brother, has purchased the Cale Yarborough engine shop, which includes the shop, equipment and the people who worked there are now employed by Elliott. Elliott will supply engines to the #94-Bill Elliott, #11-Brett Bodine, #9-Stacy Compton, #15-Derrike Cope teams as well as the #98 team if it stays a float(many sources including the Winston Cup Scene and NSSN print papers)(1-24-2000)
- Ford DIS Testing: #99-Jeff Burton was the fastest with a speed of 187.169mph. #94-Bill Elliott didn't run Thursday as he has a bad case of the flu and is planning to participate in Friday's final day of the test(That's Racin' Flu story). 21 drivers in 35 cars took times on Thursday. See the speeds and links at my Testing News Page(1-20-2000)
- McDonald's Being Sued: The former management company of NASCAR driver Bill Elliott is suing Elliott's multi-million-dollar racing sponsor, McDonald's Corp. Advantage Management Inc. (AMI) is suing Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's in U.S. District Court. Nashville-based AMI is alleging breach of contract regarding its administration of a joint licensing agreement between Elliott's racing team and the fast-food chain(Nashville Business Journal)(1-18-2000)
- Elliott/Evernham? UPDATE-More: If Ray Evernham has his way, Elliott could switch to Dodge(from Ford) in the near future. Evernham is spearheading Dodge's efforts to return to Winston Cup for the 2001 season. As part of the deal, Evernham will own two Dodge teams. He seeks to hire one veteran driver and a younger talent. Evernham confirmed on Wednesday that he is heavily interested in Elliott and the he would be a great part of the team. Evernham, former crew chief for three-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon, reportedly was seen a couple of times last month in Dawsonville, where Elliott has a race shop. Evernham denied the visits. Elliott, who was unavailable for comment, could be ripe for a change. He is one of only three remaining driver-owners in Winston Cup, with Dave Marcis and Brett Bodine being the others. McDonald's, the long-time primary sponsor for Elliott, has announced that it will not renew its agreement with the #94 Ford after the upcoming season(one day link)(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) NOTE: I have been informed by the Elliott team many times that the Elliott to Dodge rumors are unfounded. -- UPDATE/More: According to country.com Motorsports sources, don't be shocked if Bill Elliott becomes the veteran in the Evernham equation, Casey Atwood the rookie, and Petty Enterprises a player in Dodge's return(TNN)(1-13-2000)
- Dodge News: Dodge will hold their long-awaited Winston Cup press conference at the North American International Auto Show in DETROIT 7:00am on Tuesday, January 11, 2000. According to a source at DC, they had originally planned to use this conference to announce Dodge's Winston Cup program, but due to intense media scrutiny, they decided to let the cat out of the bag back in October. This doesn't mean Dodge won't have anything interesting for Tuesday's press conference - the Buzz is that they'll use the event to unveil the first Winston Cup Intrepid race car. The biggest news, though, will be the announcement of Dodge's second factory team. Petty Enterprises is the leading contender. If Petty does indeed get the second Dodge Team, his drivers will most likely be Kyle Petty, John Andretti, and Adam Petty. Hearing that Ray Evernham will have a special announcement about his Dodge team. The Buzz is that he'll reveal who will be driving his two Intrepids in 2001. No word who the rookie will be, but there's been much speculation about the identity of the veteran driver. The latest Buzz is that it will be former Winston Cup champion Bill Elliot. The scenario has Elliot, who currently owns his own team, selling out to Ed Rensi (owner of the #25 Dura Lube Busch Team) after his contract with McDonald's expires at the end of the 2000 season(Car and Truck Buzz) NOTE: been told by Elliott sources that he will not be the driver, is not selling his team after the 2000 season, so we'll see. The only rookie I have heard mentioned is Casey Atwood, but he is signed with Brewco through 2001. Also for info on the Auto show see: Auto.com(1-10-2000) -- UPDATE: I hear Ray Evernham WILL NOT announce either of his 2001 drivers at the Dodge announcement -- UPDATE 2: and he did not(1-11-2000)
- Melling and Elliott? UPDATE 2: I hear Bill Elliott Racing(#94 McDonald's Ford) and Melling Racing(#9 Kodiak Ford) will work together sharing information in 2000 and in 2001 merge into a two car team owned by Melling. Elliott Racing will supply engines to the #9 team in 2001(12-27-1999) -- UPDATE: Many rumors starting to float around on Elliott and Evernham, but most my sources say while Elliott won't be the driver, he could be helping Evernham out with try outs for crew members, engine technology and.....hearing that Melling may even switch to Dodge in 2001 with Compton as the driver, so while Elliott probably won't drive for Evernham, maybe he'll actually be in a Dodge??(12-28-1999) -- UPDATE 2: a source tells me that Bill Elliott has not made any deal with Melling Racing to share information or merge the teams and has no deal with Ray Evernham at all(seems some Elliott fans do not like all the rumors floating around, just trying to let ya know what sources are telling me, that's all, anyhow it looks like most of the rumors are unfounded anyhow) but NOL reports: The team previously announced a strategic alliance to exchange information with Elliott Racing's No. 94 team, which will supply engines to Melling's operation in the NASCAR 2000 season(12-30-1999)
- #88 News UPDATE: hearing that #88 Jackman, Mike Ford, who had been with the #88 team since it's inception, has recently left RYR. Ford was raceday jackman as well as front brake and suspension specialist on the #88(DieHard Yates Fans RYR News Page)(12-15-1999) -- UPDATE: hearing that Mike Ford, former 88 jackman and front brake and suspension specialist, started work Monday 12/20 at Bill Elliott's shop. His new role there does NOT include jacking the #94 on race days(DieHard Yates Fans RYR News)(12-27-1999)
- #94 News UPDATE: hearing that Kevin Cram, Stacy Compton's former crew chief on the #86 truck is Bill Elliott's new crew chief on the #94 McDonald's Ford. Also been hearing unconfirmed reports that Elliott would a Dodge drive for Ray Evernham in 2001, but no sources have confirmed this(12-22-1999) -- UPDATE: Cram will not be Elliott's crew chief and have been told that any mention of Bill Elliott, Chrysler(Dodge) and Ray Evernham together in 2001, is unfounded at best(12-23-1999)
- Elliott cuts the cake: Bill Elliott will be on hand at tonight's 'American Veteran Awards' to Honor (actor) Ernest Borgnine As 'Veteran of the Year 2000' Among the evening's highlights is dessert -- a life-size racecar cake cut and served by Bill Elliott. This 16-foot, 800-pound replica takes 340 hours to bake and is graciously donated by Race Cakes, Inc. Miniature race cake kits with proceeds benefiting VFI can be ordered online at http://www.fanpans.com(PR Newswire via Racing Angels/ADNASCAR Newsletter)(12-7-1999)
- Most Popular Driver is... For the ninth straight year and 14th time overall, Bill Elliott, owner and driver of the #94 McDonald's Ford Taurus, was voted NASCAR's Most Popular Driver. The 1999 fan balloting was conducted by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). Except for 1989 and 1990, Elliott has won the award every year since 1984. The only driver close to Elliott with most popular wins is retired great, Richard Petty, with nine. The announcement was made Friday (Dec. 3) during the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast here at the Waldorf-Astoria(McDonalds PR) No idea of the voting results or who 2nd...etc(12-3-1999)
- #94 Crew Chief? UPDATE 2: hearing that #94 crew chief Wayne Orme and the #94 McDonalds team with driver/owner Bill Elliott has parted ways, and that Elliott plans to move his team back to Georgia(11-17-1999) -- UPDATE: Have confirmed Orme is out and Elliott Racing reports that the team IS NOT moving to Georgia(11-18-1999) -- UPDATE 2: The crew-chief duties for Sunday will be a "team effort" between the driver, team engine-builder Ernie Elliott and general manager Eddie D'Hondt(Atlanta Constitution-Journal)(11-19-1999)
- Elliott Thanks Fans: This Monday, November 22nd, will be the annual Bill Elliott Fan Appreciation Day. It is open to Fan Club members only. The event takes place at Bill Elliott Racing in Dawsonville, GA from 9:00am to 4:00pm -- rain or shine. Elliott will be mingling with the fans and signing autographs all day. Shop tours and all Bill Elliott merchandise will be available. Recent years have seen over 10,000 fans attend. Mike Calinoff will once again be the emcee for the event(Bill Elliott Racing)(11-19-1999)
- #9 Engines: Ernie Elliott, brother of driver Bill Elliott, agreed to provide engines for the #9 Ford of Melling Racing for Sunday's NAPA 500 and the entire 2000 season. It will be a reunion for owner Mark Melling and Elliott, who worked together for seven years before parting ways in 1992(Tennessean/Cox News Service)(11-17-1999)
- McDonald's Reups: McDonald's will renew its sponsorship with NASCAR. That's a surprise to industry insiders who believed McDonald's was ready to end its run as NASCAR's "Official Drive-Through." Burger King had pursued NASCAR for most of the year and appeared close to a deal during the summer, but sources told the Sports Business Journal that NASCAR President Bill France favored the incumbent. Neil Perry, who heads McDonald's U.S. sports marketing, said a four year NASCAR sponsorship contract was sitting on his desk, waiting to be signed. McDonald's current agreement expires at the end of the year. Next year is McDonald's final year in its sponsorship of Bill Elliott's #94 team and the fast-food restaurant plans to use Elliott's 25th year in racing as a marketing platform in the Southeast next summer with themed cups and tray liners, television advertising and merchandise giveaways(Winston Cup Scene Magazine)(10-29-1999)
- Tough Day for the crew: Jimmy Spencer ran over the foot of Bill Elliott's front tire changer, Gordy Arbitter, while making a pit stop. In a separate incident, Jeff Burton had brake problems and hit his front tire carrier, Mike Brill, sending the crewman flying. Despite the setback, Brill was able to get back on his feet, grab the tire, then rush to the car to complete the stop. Neither pit crew member was seriously hurt(Orlando Sentinel(10-18-1999)
- Toy Story II UPDATE2: hearing that two Toy Story schemes will be out sometime this summer by Hot Wheels: Cheerios/Woody Scheme and a Hot Wheels/Buzz Lightyear scheme. No idea if Kyle Petty in the #44 Hot Wheels car will run the scheme or if Johnny Benson in the #26 Cheerios car will run the schemes in a future race(7-7-1999) -- UPDATE: The #26 Cheerios/Woody Ford and #44 Hot Wheels/Buzz Lightyear Pontiac will be run at Atlanta in the season finale(7-29-1999) -- UPDATE 2: there will be a third Toy Story 2 car running in Atlanta, the #94 McDonald's Ford with Bill Elliott. And I hear McDonald's will be running one of their biggest Happy Meal promotions ever with Toy Story 2. I hear Disney is going to unveil all three cars together at a big Hollywood event(no image on this one)(10-15-1999)
- Elliott: what happened to Bill Elliott and the #94 McDonald's Ford? had this question a few times and had no clue, didn't mention it on the tube, anyhow: A piece of debris came up and punctured Bill Elliott's radiator, so they had to replace the radiator(9-27-1999)
- Rensi buyout of Elliott? No: Today's Winston Cup Scene mentions a rumor about #25 BGN and #83 ARCA Owner Ed Rensi buying the #94 Bill Elliott Team. Hadn't heard this before, but it says Rensi, a retired president of McDonald's, insisted that the rumors are just speculation. Rensi said he'd like to be a Cup owner at some time but feels he has a lot to learn and has to pay his dues first. Bill Elliott's wife, Cindy also denied the rumor. Elliott will lose the McDonald's sponsorship AFTER the 2000 season(9-16-1999)
- FirstPlus sued: Elliott-Marino Motorsports L.L.C. -- the Atlanta-based team put together by Nascar driver Bill Elliott and NFL quarterback Dan Marino -- filed the lawsuit in Dallas district court on Aug. 26. The suit claims that FirstPlus has failed to make $1.7 million in payments on its 1997 contract with Elliot-Marino, plus $200,000 on a separate contract to promote a FirstPlus subsidiary, Vanstar Corp. Full story and background at: Dallas Business Journal. Note: Jerry Nadeau ran the #13 FirstPlus Ford for most of the year, he was released, took over the #9 and the #13 was driven by various drivers. The team attempted the 1999 Daytona 500 with Dick Trickle, failed to make the race and disbanded(9-6-1999)
- #94 and the Wind Tunnel: Bill Elliott's plans to bring a new #94 McDonalds Ford to Darlington this weekend came close to falling apart on the car's trip to the track. Elliott's team took the new car to the wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., earlier this week before leaving for Darlington. Once the car was inside the tunnel, a switch that controls the power malfunctioned and caused a fire. There was no major damage to the facility, but the team canceled the test without gaining any new information on the car(That's Racin')(9-4-1999)
- Elliott Story: Bill Elliott has been mentioned as a candidate for Robert Yates'#28 ride. Would he be interested? Could he perhaps lease his team, or hire a driver for his own team and take the #28? ''Right now I've got another year with McDonald's, and I don't know how that (a 28 option) would work out,'' Elliott said. ''Yes, I'd be interested, but no I couldn't, from the standpoint of where I am in my deal."(PitNow)(8-16-1999)
- Elliott to Yates? saw this in the PitNow notbook today and have heard it a bit the last day or so too: and now possibly Bill Elliott, according to sources close to Yates. Rudd said that he has a 30-day window to try to put together a sponsorship package for his own team. Elliott, like Rudd, has his own team, but sponsor McDonald's is leaving at the end of next season, leaving Elliott looking for a new deal. John Andretti could come in a package deal with crew chief Robbie Loomis, according to sources(PitNow)(8-14-1999)
- Elliott and McDonald's: Bill Korbus, who directs the McDonald's racing program, says the company believed Elliott was going to retire after next season and it didn't want to be caught short. He also says that if Elliott doesn't retire, McDonald's would be interested in continuing to sponsor him. Two McDonald's cars? "It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility," Korbus says. "Cal was always our life-after-Bill plan." The catch is that Elliott, an owner-driver, plans to continue as an owner after he retires. And McDonald's has no interest in sponsoring an Elliott car with no Elliott inside(USA Today)(7-31-1999)
- Elliott top 5: Bill Elliott's top five finish was his first in 54 races when he was 5th at Martinsville in September 1997(not 55, he missed the Dove fall race when his father passed away)(7-11-1999)
- Elliott to backup: in 2nd round qualifying, Bill Elliott wrecked the #94 QPC Code Name Game Ford and has elected to go to a backup car because of the damage and will not carry the special paint scheme on the backup car as it is still painted the regular McDonald's red-and-yellow scheme(NOL)(7-10-1999)
- Elliott Paint UPDATE 2 and FOUR Images: I hear Bill Elliott will run an Inspector Gadget(Disney Movie) paint scheme sometime in early in the summer(5-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear the scheme will be run at Loudon, NH on July 11th(5-14-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Bill Elliott's #94 McDonald's Ford will showcase a new paint scheme for three consecutive Cup races, starting with the July 11th Jiffy Lube 300 in Loudon, N.H. Elliott will drive the QPC Code Name Game Car which will tie-in with McDonald's unique nationwide Code Name Game summer promotion, offering customers the chance to win one of three $1 million grand prizes. The Code Name Game promotion runs from July 16 through Aug. 12 at participating McDonald's restaurants. The QPC prize acronym stands for Quarter Pounder with Cheese. The Code Name Game promotion is to celebrate Walt Disney Picture's Inspector Gadget movie, a live-action family comedy based on the popular cartoon character of the same name. The movie opens in theaters nationwide on July 23. The hood of Elliott's promotional car will feature a safe with dollar bills bursting out of it, symbolizing the million dollars that customers can win by coming into McDonald's and playing the QPC Code Name Game. On top of the safe reads, "WIN $1Million" and the Golden Arches. The rear quarter panels read "QPC Code Name Game." The #94 and the words on the hood and quarter panel are in "digital" type that carry out the Gadget theme. The Arches have been changed to a true metallic gold look that fits with the overall scheme of the car. Along with the Jiffy Lube 300 in Loudon, the QPC Code Name Game car will compete at the Pennsylvania 500 (July 25) at Pocono Raceway and the Brickyard 400 (Aug. 7) in Indianapolis(McDonalds PR in part)(7-6-1999)
- No Moore? Rumors of a Greg Moore ride at Daytona in two weeks seem to have subsided. Bill Elliott said he has no ride for the CART driver. Another possibility is Felix Sabates' recently founded #01 Chevrolet, but Sabates was unavailable for comment, and representatives of his teams professed no knowledge of any arrangement with Moore(SpeedNet)(6-19-1999)
- #94 Assoc Sponsor trouble? UPDATE 1: Service Merchandise is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is not known how it will affect sponsorship of the #94 McDonald's Ford team of Bill Elliott(NSSN)(3-27-1999) -- UPDATE 1 Noticed: during the Winston pre-race activities that the Service Merchandise decals were not on the #94 McDonald's Ford driven by Bill Elliott, did see a patch on his uniform(5-23-1999)
- Elliott Paint UPDATE 1: I hear Bill Elliott will run an Inspector Gadget(Disney Movie) paint scheme sometime in early in the summer(5-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear the scheme will be run at Loudon, NH on July 11th(5-14-1999)
- Elliott Crew Chief UPDATE 1 and crew: Wayne Orme is Bill Elliott's new crew chief on the #94 Ford(Times-Dispatch/That's Racin')(5-11-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Bill Elliott Racing has named Wayne Orme (OR-me) crew chief of the #94 McDonald's Ford Taurus. In addition, the team has added Gordy Arbitter, front tire changer, and Greg Ely, shock specialist, to the Drive-Thru Crew. Orme, 29, joined Bill Elliott Racing in December, 1998, serving as crew chief of the #13 Ford Taurus at the Daytona 500 in February. Since then, he has been a mechanic and chassis specialist on the #94 McDonald's Racing Team(McDonald's PR)(5-13-1999)
- Elliott Crew Chief: Since Jerry Pitts' who was Bill Elliotts interim crew chief on the #94 McDonalds Ford left to take the crew chief job with the #98 team, Ernie Elliott will handle the duties for right now until a replacement is found(5-5-1999)
- Elliott in the Money UPDATE 1: Bill Elliott, driver of the McDonald's Ford Taurus, is in position to reach $20 million in NASCAR Winston Cup career earnings at this weekend's California 500 in Fontana, CA, if he earns $32,451. This would make Elliott the third driver (Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon) in history to surpass the $20 million mark in career earnings(McDonalds PR)(4-29-1999) -- UPDATE 1: With Bill Elliott's finishing 19th at California, he earned $48,325 to push his Cup career earnings to $20,015,874, joining Dale Earnhardt and race winner Jeff Gordon as the only drivers over the $20 million mark(Infobeat/AP)(5-3-1999)
- McDonald's News UPDATE 2: There could be an announcement as soon as Saturday on McDonald's racing sponsorship plans for 2000 and beyond. Elliott's deal runs through the end of next season, and McDonald's plans to honor that contract. It appears likely that McDonald's will sponsor a second team next season, beginning a relationship that would continue beyond the end of the Elliott deal. One name mentioned as driver for that second car is Matt Kenseth's, who plans to run for Cup rookie of the year in 2000(That's Racin') in a Mark Martin/Roush owned car -- UPDATE 1: McDonald's Corporation announced today it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Precision Preparation, Inc. (PPI) as a primary NASCAR team sponsor. The sponsorship starts immediately and goes through the year 2003. The agreement calls for PPI to field a McDonald's NASCAR Busch Series team next season, which will eventually lead into a Winston Cup program. PPI, owned by Cal Wells III, is a multi-dimensional racing company based in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The company has competitive interests in the SCORE off-road series, the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) FedEx Championship Series and the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship. Wells said he is excited and ready for the challenge of expanding his racing operation to the NASCAR circuit and their first priority is to find a driver who meets the criteria of both PPI and McDonald's. Wells and his PPI associates have begun preparations to field a Busch car at the 2000 season opener in Daytona Beach, Fla. The company has acquired Tim Wardlaw as program manager and just recently hired Joe Garone as crew chief. Wells has had discussions with car manufacturers, and collectively with McDonald's, has arrived at the decision to continue the relationship with Ford. PPI is currently in the process of securing a location to base the team in the Charlotte area. Wells currently fields two CART teams under the Arciero-Wells banner -- #24 Pioneer Electronics/MCI WorldCom Toyota/Reynard, driven by Scott Pruett and the #25 MCI WorldCom Toyota/Reynard, driven by Cristiano da Matta. Along with Bill Elliott Racing and its new PPI association, the McDonald's Racing Team includes primary sponsorship in the CART series with the #44 McDonald's Honda Reynard Champ Car, owned by Gerald Forsythe and driven by Tony Kanaan. McDonald's is also the Official Drive-Thru of NASCAR(condensed McDonald's PR) The future of McDonald's and Elliott after the current contract runs out has not been decided, and that anything reported to the contrary is pure speculation(NOL)(5-1-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Although McDonald's will continue to be car owner/driver Bill Elliott's major sponsor through 2000, the relationship will end following next season(SpeedNet/ Times-Dispatch)(5-2-1999)
- Elliott Crew: Tom Hubert who drove the #19 Ford at Vegas and was driving the #7 Truck until a recent split, changed tires for the #94 McDonald's team and Bill Elliott at Martinsville(The Depot) -- UPDATE: Hubert works at Bill Davis Racing getting Ward Burton's BGN cars ready for his 5 race scehdule this year(4-19-1999)
- McDonald's and Elliott: The following statement is attributable to Bill Korbus, McDonald's motorsports manager: "Contrary to unfounded reports, McDonald's is committed to Bill Elliott Racing with its current sponsorship agreement through the year 2000."(McDonald's PR)(4-18-1999)
- McDonald's Out? UPDATE 2 Yates? I hear from a good source that WGOW-FM 102.3(Chattanooga, TN) reported during the "Racing Hour" radio show that McDonald's was pretty much a done deal with Elliott after 1999, and they'd be moving to the #25 car. No word on a replacement sponsor for Elliott -- UPDATE 1: I also hear that McDonald's is signed with Elliott thru 2000 and won't leave until the contract is up(4-15-1999) -- UPDATE 2: McDonald's, which sponsors Bill Elliott's #94 Fords, is looking at moving its sponsorship to another team in 2000 or leaving Winston Cup racing altogether, sources said Friday. Elliott has a contract with McDonald's through the 2000 season, but McDonald's does have an ``out clause'' that would allow it to leave Elliott's team, sources said. McDonald's is reportedly looking at two other Winston Cup teams to focus its sponsorship money - Hendrick Motorsports' third team, currently with driver Wally Dallenbach, and Robert Yates' second team, currently with driver Kenny Irwin. Dallenbach's team will lose sponsor Budweiser at the end of the 1999 season, when it will move to the #8 Chevrolets of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Texaco is currently the sponsor of Irwin's #28 Fords(That's Racin'/Jim Utter). Wow, the Yates deal is a new twist, hard to imagine the #28 in anything but Texaco colors(4-16-1999)
- Elliott Changes: Bill Elliott Racing announced the following organizational changes: Citing personal reasons Joe Garone has resigned as crew chief. Jerry Pitts, who served as advisor to the crew chief, has been named interim crew chief, overseeing the #94 McDoanld's Drive-Thru Ford. Team engine builder Ernie Elliott will have additional responsibilities in his new role as race track performance supervisor. Pitts joined Bill Elliott Racing in 1998 as crew chief of the #13 Ford Taurus. Before entering the NASCAR Winston Cup series in 1995 for Bahari Racing, Pitts served as crew chief in the Craftsman Truck and Southwest Tour series. He is a native of Bakersfield, Calif.
Ernie Elliott has long been regarded as one of the premier engine builders and has provided the power for his brother's race cars for all but three seasons (1992-94) in Bill's 24-year career. Ernie also served as his brother's crew chief for 13 seasons (1976-86 and 1988-89). During Ernie's tenure as crew chief, Bill won 26 races and the 1988 Winston Cup series championship. Ernie resides in Dawsonville, Ga. Garone, was named crew chief on Elliott's car following the 1997 season(McDonald's Team PR)(4-2-1999)
- #94 Assoc Sponsor trouble? Service Merchandise is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is not known how it will affect sponsorship of the #94 McDonald's Ford team of Bill Elliott(NSSN)(3-27-1999)
- Million Dollar Bill - Again: Bill Elliott is a new kind of million-dollar man. By finishing 15th and earning $38,165 in the Cracker Barrel 500 yesterday, he surpassed the million-dollar winning mark at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- a feat accomplished only by Dale Earnhardt(Times-Dispatch)(3-15-1999)
- Texas Testing UPDATE: Bill Elliott and Bobby Labonte tested at Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, no speeds(WC Today Radio)(3-9-1999) -- Labonte was testing the #18 MBNA BGN Pontiac and Elliott was testing his #94 McDonald's Ford(NASCAR Online) and for more info see the Texas Motor Speedway Site and go to the news and info section(3-11-1999)
- Million Dollar Bill: Bill Elliott is positioned to become the second driver to reach the $1 million mark in career earnings at Atlanta Motor Speedway(AMS) in this weekend's Cracker Barrel 500. Elliott, driver of the McDonald's Ford Taurus, has accumulated $977,405 at the 1.522-mile speedway since 1976, when he won $950 in the Atlanta 500. The first driver to exceed the $1 million mark at Atlanta was Dale Earnhardt in 1995. Elliott, who is third in all-time Winston Cup Series' earnings with $19,704,284, has already surpassed the $1 million mark at three tracks, Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Michigan Speedway. Elliott is a five-time winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- twice in 1992, 1987 (race #2) and twice in 1985.(PR)(3-10-1999)
- Fines: The following crew chiefs were fined for rules violations at Daytona: Newt Moore from the #77 Jasper Engines Ford team fined $5,000 for unapproved brake rotors; Greg Conner from the #90 Acu-Turn Industries Ford fined $3,000 for a non-magnetic driveshaft; Joe Garone, crew chief for the #94 McDonald's Ford and Wayne Orme, crew chief for #13 NationsRent Ford were fined $2,000 each for use of unapproved exhaust pipes(NASCAR Online)(2-17-1999)
- What happened to Elliott? Got this question a dozen times on Monday about Bill Elliott and the #94 McDonalds Ford. The answer can be found at RaceWire - FORD - Daytona 500 Quotes(2-16-1999)
- McDonald's PR: The McDonald's NASCAR Racing Team and owner/driver Bill Elliott will pack a new item when filling their suitcases for the 1999 season-opening Daytona 500, Feb. 14, at Daytona. As a result of an off-season facelift, the McDonald's team brings a very important intangible teammate as it packs for Daytona – a new attitude. Not only did the McDonald's #94 Ford Taurus obtain a stylish new appearance, the team roster also underwent major changes during the winter months. Heading the list of personnel changes is Eddie D'Hondt, who was promoted
to general manager after just two months as team manager of Elliott's #13 team. He oversees the daily business operations of the Bill Elliott Racing organization and will also serve as tire specialist on race weekends. In addition to administrative restructuring, the Drive-Thru Crew sports a new foundation. Of the seven over-the-wall crew members, four are new to the McDonald's Drive-Thru Crew since last season. Of the seven members who began the 1998 Winston Cup season, only crew chief/front tire changer Joe Garone remains on the 1999 Drive-Thru Crew(2-3-1999)
- Most Popular: Bill Elliott won the National Motorsports Press Association's most popular driver contest for the eighth consecutive year and a record 13 times overall. The NMPA, using a 900-number for voting, received nearly 40,000 votes. Elliott garnered nearly 49 percent to lead all drivers(That's Racin')(No idea who the other drivers were in the most popular list)(12-3-1998)
- Waddell to leave? UPDATE 2 Word has Waddell Wilson, VP of Racing Operation at the #7 Mattei Motorsports team leaving at the end of the month(WC Today Radio)(12-1-98) - I hear Wilson may end up with Bill Elliott as Team Manager(12-2-98) -- Wilson will NOT be with Elliott, not sure what his plans are(12-3-1998)
- Beam Gone from the #94 to the #21 UPDATE 3: Hearing rumors that Team Manager Mike Beam and Owner/Driver Bill Elliott have parted ways, no confirmation on this yet. Elliott owns/drives the #94 McDonald's Ford and owns the #13 Ford team. -- Winston Cup Today radio reports that the team says this is not true. But....I hear he is looking at his options and they may include the #28 team(11-12-98) -- Am now hearing that Beam has left the Elliott team and that the #28 team may be an option for 1999. -- No #28 but.....At the beginning of December, Mike Beam, will join forces with driver Elliott Sadler and the Wood Brothers Racing Team. Beam has served as crew chief for driver Bill Elliott since 1995 before taking his current role of chief operating officer with Bill Elliott Racing in 1998. Beam will serve as the crew chief for the #21 CITGO Ford and spearhead Elliott Sadler's campaign for rookie of the year. Initial plans are for Beam to work one or two days a week in Stuart, Virginia at the Wood Brothers' race shop and then oversee the team's operations at the race track.(GoRacing via CITGO Racing)(11-16-1998)
- 4th Quarter Nominee: Bill Elliott, who organized a relief fund for tornado victims in Georgia is the fourth quarter nominee for the NASCAR True Value Man of the Year Award.(NASCAR Online)(11-12-1998)
The old #13 Elliott-Marino news....
- FirstPlus sued: Elliott-Marino Motorsports L.L.C. -- the Atlanta-based team put together by Nascar driver Bill Elliott and NFL quarterback Dan Marino -- filed the lawsuit in Dallas district court on Aug. 26. The suit claims that FirstPlus has failed to make $1.7 million in payments on its 1997 contract with Elliot-Marino, plus $200,000 on a separate contract to promote a FirstPlus subsidiary, Vanstar Corp. Full story and background at: Dallas Business Journal. Note: Jerry Nadeau ran the #13 FirstPlus Ford for most of the year, he was released, took over the #9 and the #13 was driven by various drivers. The team attempted the 1999 Daytona 500 with Dick Trickle, failed to make the race and disbanded(9-6-1999)
- Fines: The following crew chiefs were fined for rules violations at Daytona: Newt Moore from the #77 Jasper Engines Ford team fined $5,000 for unapproved brake rotors; Greg Conner from the #90 Acu-Turn Industries Ford fined $3,000 for a non-magnetic driveshaft; Joe Garone, crew chief for the #94 McDonald's Ford and Wayne Orme, crew chief for #13 NationsRent Ford were fined $2,000 each for use of unapproved exhaust pipes(NASCAR Online)(2-17-1999)
- Trickle/Elliott Sponsor for Daytona: NationsRent, an equipment rental company based in South Florida, will sponsor Dick Trickle in Bill Elliotts #13 Ford for the Cup Daytona events(Bud Shootout Qualifier, Twin 125's and the 500)(NASCAR Online)(1-30-1999)
- #13 Info UPDATE?: Bill Elliott won't say what will happen to the No. 13 car beyond Daytona, but he will say it will be entered in that race with Dick Trickle as driver. The No. 13, which Elliott had co-owned with NFL quarterback Dan Marino, ran a full 1998 schedule but lost FirstPlus Financial as primary sponsor at the end of the season.(That's Racin')(1-28-1999)
- FirstPlus info? I emailed First Plus and asked them about all the racing images still up on their site and got this answer: "Thank you for contacting FIRSTPLUS Financial. The NASCAR photos and information you see on our web site are based on last year's NASCAR participation. FIRSTPLUS has not made an announcement regarding the company's participation in NASCAR for 1999, but hope to do so by the end of the month." Otherwise then taht I have heard nothing on their plans(1-8-1999)
> - #13 News: Dick Trickle will drive the #13 in the Pre-Shootout and also attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500. No sponsor named yet. Disregard all that other #13 stuff from the last few weeks, drove me crazy(crazier?)(12-30-1998)
- 2nd Elliott Team/ yet another UPDATE 4: A week ago I mentioned the #13 team would race at the Bud-Shootout Qualifying race with Dennis Setzer driving. Actually it'll be the #89 team and they will do 3-4 other races with special McDonald's promotions of some sort. The #13 will not race in 1999, but may return in 2000.(12-18-98) -- but....sources close to Bill Elliott's #13 team have acknowledged that Rick Mast will pilot their Ford in the Bud Shootout and also attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500. No sponsor has been secured yet.(12-22-98) -- YES - this means the #13 and #89 will both attempt Daytona -- I hear Mast has signed with the #98 and will not drive the #13(12-23-98) -- I hear the #13 team still plans to attempt the Daytona 500, Greg Sacks MAY be a possibility(12-29-1998)
- Trickle News: Am hearing that the number of the Trickle-Spencer Chevy will be #5 with Schneider National as the sponsor. There will be a photo shoot with Dick and the car on January 11, sporting the new colors and graphics. I hear that car will look similar to last year's, but with a few changes. The Schneider orange will stay, but the striping will be different and the new Schneider "swoosh" logo will be on the side. I hear no contracts have been signed yet by Trickle or the sponsor, but that it's just a formality at this point. Trickle still wants to return to Cup and will run the #13 Elliott Ford at Daytona and has talked to the #91 team if they get a sponsor.(1-2-1999)
- #13 DONE but...: This was reported in the Richmond Times today - A spokesperson at Bill Elliott Racing said the team's second car, the No. 13 Ford Taurus, definitely would be in Daytona in February. A driver and a sponsor will be announced at a later date. FirstPlus, last year's sponsor, is not definitely out, but the company's financial problems could endanger the sponsorship. Although FirstPlus has reduced its workforce by 3,000, sold off its United Kingdom branch and is selling its Consumer Finance Company, the organization is listed as the sponsor of an ARCA race in Daytona(Richmond Times) but sources tell me this team is done and will NOT race at Daytona or at all in 1999(12-11-98) -- but just heard that Dennis Setzer just might attempt the qualifier for the Bud Shootout, since he is eligible. FirstPlus will NOT be part of the deal. It's in the talking stages right now(12-12-1998)
- #13 Back? NOPE Done UPDATE 3: I hear that the Elliott/Marino #13 Ford Team may be sponsored again by First Plus with Rick Mast as the driver for the 1999 season -- also from the Times-Dispatch: The Bill Elliott/Dan Marino team is planning an announcement later this week concerning the #13 car. Rick Mast and Service Merchandise reportedly have talked with the owners at various points late in the season. -- UPDATE: Sources tell me that Bill Elliott Racing is officially a ONE CAR team. First Plus could not make a commitment. Ten employees were released today. Future plans call for a two-car team again in 2000(Jayski Note: Got some complaints about the conflicting reports, sorry, put them up as I got/found them, didn't have time to combine them)(12-2-98) -- UPDATE 2: From the #13 to the #94 - Eddie D'Hondt has been named Team Manager and Tire Specialist. #13 Crew Chief Jerry Pitts will be the assistant Crew Chief and R&D Manager. Gary Putnam will be the Car Chief(12-3-98) -- Just saw this on NASCAR Online: A spokesperson for Bill Elliott said the Elliott-Marino Racing team was still waiting for a definite word on the status of FIRSTPLUS Financial's continued sponsorship of its #13 Ford Taurus. The team expects to know something, more than likely by Monday, the spokesperson said(NASCAR Online Thurs Notebook)(12-4-98) -- Nope this team is done, Bill Elliott returns to a one car team in 1999(WC Today Radio)(12-8-1998)
- Elliott 2nd team: Bill Elliott said he is still waiting to hear if FirstPlus Financial will return to the #13 for 1999. As a result, the driver announcement is also in limbo(NSSN)(11-27-1998)
- Elliott 2nd Team UPDATE 2: Bill Elliott remains silent about the status of his second car(#13), though he apparently has a sponsor willing to sign(Times-Dispatch)(11-20-98) -- The NASCAR Online Notebook, also says Elliott has nothing to announce, yet(11-23-98) -- Now I hear that Elliott may not run the second team in 1999 and concentrate on the #94 team only(11-25-98)
- #13 News: Hearing that Rich Bickle is another driver under consideration by the #13 Bill Elliott owned team.(11-17-1998)
- Elliott Sponsor? UPDATE2 DW in the mix?? Winston Cup Today reports that Firstplus will not return to the #13 Elliott/Marino team but that Elliott has supposedly found a new sponsor to keep the team going in 1999.(11-5-98) -- hearing Tabasco may be Elliotts sponsor and if the 2nd Travis Carter team falls thru, Mast may end up in the #13. -- Now I am hearing DW-Darrell Waltrip may end up in the #13 with Tabasco, wow!(11-7-1998)
